HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Line of Route

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what percentage of the line of route is inaccessible to wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Of the 17 distinct stops on the visitor route, only St. Stephen's Hall is entirely inaccessible to wheelchair users. Wheelchair users can view the Lords Chamber from alongside the throne and from the Bar of the House, but cannot transit the Chamber due to the narrow space between the benches and the Table of the House.

Public Gallery

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what assessment the Commission has made of the impact on visitor numbers to the Public Gallery in the Chamber since the erection of the security screen.

Nick Harvey: There is no reason to suggest that the erection of the Chamber screen has had any impact on numbers of visitors to the Public Gallery. In the year April 2003 to March 2004 before the temporary security screen was in place there were 107,136 visitors from the public queue and 10,355 from Members' allocated tickets (total 117,491). From April 2004 to March 2005 with the screen in place the corresponding figures were 111,846 from the public queue and 10,329 from Members' allocations (total 122,175). I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell) on 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2231W, on the effect of the erection of the permanent screen on the view of the southern portion of the Chamber, and the steps to be taken to alleviate this.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crime Clear-up Rates

Andrew Turner: To ask the Solicitor-General in which areas primary responsibility for decisions to charge for offences has been passed from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service; and what the clear-up rates for crime in (a) the year before and (b) the year after implementation of the policy were in each case.

Mike O'Brien: To date, 30 areas are operating under statutory charging. The remaining 12 areas have been operating shadow charging schemes since 2003, whereby charging is operating on a non-mandatory basis, which mirrors as closely as possible statutory charging arrangements between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday. These remaining areas are scheduled to move onto statutory charging by April 2006.
	The expected benefits of the charging scheme are a reduction in the rate of discontinuance, an increase in the guilty plea rate, and a reduction in the rate of attrition.
	The following table shows, for each area, the date of implementation of statutory charging, and the proportion of recorded crime which was detected by the police.
	23 per cent. of recorded crime in England and Wales was detected by the police in 2003–04. The latest data show that the detection rate rose by three percentage points, to 26 per cent., in 2004–05.
	
		Implementation of statutory charging, and detection rate as percentage of recorded crime
		
			  Statutory Scheduled Detections as percentage of recorded crime 
			 Area charging introduced introduction of statutory scheme 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset July 2004 n/a 15 17 
			 Bedfordshire n/a January 2006 23 28 
			 Cambridgeshire n/a March 2006 23 23 
			 Cheshire n/a February 2006 27 26 
			 Cleveland June 2004 n/a 21 24 
			 Cumbria December 2005 n/a 32 30 
			 Derbyshire n/a January 2006 25 28 
			 Devon and Cornwall n/a March 2006 29 30 
			 Dorset n/a March 2006 26 28 
			 Durham August 2005 n/a 29 29 
			 Dyfed Powys n/a February 2006 47 43 
			 Essex December 2005 n/a 28 27 
			 Gloucestershire October 2005 n/a 28 27 
			 Greater Manchester September 2004 n/a 22 23 
			 Gwent December 2005 n/a 45 42 
			 Hampshire April 2005 n/a 27 28 
			 Hertfordshire November 2005 n/a 25 29 
			 Humberside August 2004 n/a 19 20 
			 Kent May 2004 n/a 25 23 
			 Lancashire June 2004 n/a 27 30 
			 Leicestershire n/a February 2006 22 25 
			 Lincolnshire November 2005 n/a 22 25 
			 Merseyside October 2004 n/a 27 30 
			 London, City of November 2004 n/a 33 36 
			 Metropolitan Police November 2004 n/a 15 21 
			 Norfolk October 2005 n/a 26 28 
			 Northamptonshire n/a February 2006 28 29 
			 Northumbria June 2004 n/a 30 29 
			 North Wales September 2005 n/a 33 42 
			 North Yorkshire November 2005 n/a 28 35 
			 Nottinghamshire July 2004 n/a 18 20 
			 South Wales October 2005 n/a 29 29 
			 South Yorkshire May 2004 n/a 24 26 
			 Staffordshire n/a January 2006 33 35 
			 Suffolk October 2005 n/a 33 32 
			 Surrey n/a January 2006 22 26 
			 Sussex November 2005 n/a 24 25 
			 Thames Valley September 2004 n/a 23 26 
			 Warwickshire n/a March 2006 25 27 
			 West Mercia July 2005 n/a 31 34 
			 West Midlands November 2005 n/a 25 23 
			 West Yorkshire May 2005 n/a 20 25 
			 Wiltshire n/a March 2006 28 29 
			 England and Wales   23 26

Iraqi Prisoners

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Solicitor-General for what reasons the Crown Prosecution Service did not proceed with charges against the individuals who faked photographs of British troops abusing Iraqi prisoners.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service has already confirmed that no charges were preferred as there was no realistic prospect of a conviction. In accordance with usual practice, they do not publish detailed reasons for the decision.

Special Counsel

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  in how many criminal cases a special counsel has been appointed in each year since 1997;
	(2)  in how many criminal cases in Northern Ireland a special counsel has been appointed in each year since 1997.

Mike O'Brien: the Attorney-General may be asked by the court to appoint a special counsel to represent the interests of a defendant when issues of disclosure are being considered by the court in the absence of the defendant and his legal team. Such cases are rare. I am informed that the number of special counsel newly appointed in England and Wales in criminal cases in the year 2004–05 is 10 (in 12 cases) and in 2005–06 (to date) is one. In Northern Ireland the figure for 2004–05 is one and no further special counsel has been appointed so far in 2005–06.

Spy Ring (Stormont)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General who was consulted on the decision to discontinue the case against those charged with running a spy ring at Stormont in 2002.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The decision to offer no evidence in this case in December 2005 was taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland following information received in November 2005 from the police. That decision was based on his assessment of the public interest. The Director kept the Attorney-General informed throughout this case and consulted the Attorney-General in respect of his decision.
	In January 2005 an issue arose in the trial process, the Attorney-General carried out a Shawcross exercise by which he consulted ministerial colleagues as to whether they had information that might bear on the consideration of the public interest by the Director. In the event, having regard to ongoing developments in the trial process, no decision was required to be taken at that time and the information obtained formed no part of the Director's decision to discontinue the prosecution in December 2005. That decision was informed by facts and information provided by the chief constable in November 2005 following upon a further development in the trial process. No further ministerial consultation took place.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

0870 Numbers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1364W, on 0870 numbers, what contractual arrangements her Department has for the provision of 0870 lines.

Jim Knight: The core Department's 0870 number is used by callers to the Pet Travel Scheme helpline and is provided by BT which has a minimum contractual period of 12 months. This helpline number was provided by BT in late 1999 so it is no longer bound by a contractual period.

British Uplands (Tourism)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of how much money the British uplands generate for the tourist industry in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The Department has not made a specific assessment of the contribution of the British uplands to the tourist industry.
	In England responsibility for the strategic development of the tourist industry has been devolved to the Regional Development Agencies. Working closely with partners in the region they gather the necessary evidence to fulfil this role. This may include the contribution of geographic areas or sectors within the region.

Correspondence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i)hon. Members and (ii) Members of the House of Lords were dealt with by her Department in each year since 1995; what percentage took (A) more than one month and (B)more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The information required is as follows:
	(a) The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members'/Peers' correspondence. The Report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, column 137–40WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	(b) The data are not held in the format requested. Therefore data provided in table A are given using Defra's 15-day working target.
	
		Table A: General correspondence 2000–01 to 2005–06
		
			 Period(1) General correspondence received General correspondence responded to within 15-days target Percentage responded to within 15-days target 
		
		
			 April to March
			 2000–01 106,007 96,899 91 
			 2001–02 99,545 85,573 86 
			 2002–03 114,229 98,546 86 
			 2003–04 119,446 116,626 98 
			 2004–05 106,451 96,679 91 
			 April to September (half financial year) 
			 2005–06 55,673 54,624 98 
		
	
	(1)Data before 2001, when Defra was created, are less reliable and has not been provided.
	(c) The data are not held in the format requested. Data provided in table B are based on the number of PQs answered more than 11 days late. Figures are collated on the basis of parliamentary sessions rather than calendar years.
	
		Table B: Parliamentary questions 1996 to 2005
		
			 Period(2) Number of PQs Reply after 11+ days Percentage 11+ days Department 
		
		
			 1995–96 2,210 — — MAFF 
			 1996–97 1,297 — — MAFF 
			 1997–98 4,081 — — MAFF 
			 1998–99 2,704 — — MAFF 
			 1999–2000 2,721 — — MAFF 
			 2000–01 1,909 — — MAFF 
			 2001–02 8,619 — — DEFRA 
			 2002–03 5,444 — — DEFRA 
			 2003–04 5,311 848 16 DEFRA 
			 2004–05 1,871 265 14.2 DEFRA 
		
	
	(2)Data before 2001, when Defra was created, are less reliable and has not been provided.
	In November 2003 a new database was introduced, which is not compatible with the earlier system. The new database produces stats on whether PQs have been answered on time, 1 day late, 2–5 days late, 6–10 days late and 11+ days late.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in her Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to her Department of each payment was in 2004–05.

Jim Knight: The only pay/pay related payments that are operated in the core-Department, on the basis of geographical location are the National/London pay ranges and some Local Pay Additions (LPAs) retained on a reserved rights basis by some staff. The details are given as follows and are based on the 2004–05 pay outturn data:
	National/London Pay Range Differentials
	There are some 2,890 staff on London pay ranges, the additional cost (i.e. the differential between national and London pay rates) of which, over the pay rates paid to staff on national pay ranges equates to £8,705,581. As a percentage of the core-Department' s paybill this equates to 5 per cent.
	London/Local Pay Additions (LPAs)
	There are 155 staff in receipt of LPAs on a reserved rights basis, the total cost of which equates to £68,261. This represents 0.035 per cent. as a percentage of the core-Department's paybill.
	The payments are split geographically as follows:
	
		
			  Location  Number of staff Total cost by location (£) 
		
		
			 London 105 44,905 
			 Cambridge 15 6,000 
			 Chelmsford 1 700 
			 Guildford 16 7,700 
			 Kings Lynn 1 400 
			 Reading 12 7,000 
			 York 5 1,556

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are taken by the Department to support staff with mental ill health.

Jim Knight: Defra have taken a number of initiatives and offer various levels of support and a variety of resources to support staff with mental ill health.
	The primary resource for line managers is the booklet published by 'Mindout', which offers practical advice on managing and supporting people who are experiencing stress, distress and mental health problems. Every manager has been passed a copy of this booklet and alongside this there are other resources including the Department's 'Stress-Web' intranet site which is a comprehensive central source of information on awareness, prevention and management of stress in the workplace and at home.
	'Stress-Web's' primary objectives to raise awareness of stress policy, suggest ways to prevent stress in the workplace and at home, help staff identify symptoms of stress in themselves and others, assist with the management of stress and identifies others who can help such as the Departmental Health and Safety Advisers and Employee Support Services. It also provides other internal and external resources such as videos, literature and information about events and websites of interest.
	As part of its new occupational health service provision and restructuring of its health and safety and welfare functions, Defra has refocused its resources to better tackle stress at work by targeting the 'root causes' at an organisational level, with its Health and Safety and Employee Support Advisers working more closely with business managers proactively to seek to ensure that better controls are in place to manage the risks from stress correctly.

Devolved Legislatures (Documents)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department giving evidence to (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) Welsh Assembly and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly Committees; and to what categories of document she gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) Welsh Assembly, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select Committees.

Jim Knight: Requests for the attendance of Ministers or officials to give evidence to the devolved legislatures, and for the provision of information to the assemblies, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This consideration will reflect: the principles set out in the Cabinet Office guidance 'Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees' (July 2005); the policy outlined in the Department for Constitutional Affairs' Devolution Guidance Note #12 'Attendance of UK Ministers and Officials at Committees of the devolved legislatures'; and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The principles underlying the provision of information to House of Commons Select Committees are set out in 'Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees', particularly sections 4B and 4C.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a Minister in her Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Prior to the general election Defra's Minister responsible for diversity issues was Alun Michael. Since the election, the Department has been reviewing its diversity strategy and wanted to complete this work before appointing a new Minister with this responsibility. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, intends to nominate one of her Ministers in the new year.
	The new appointee will take responsibility for championing all diversity groups which will include liaison with the Office for Disability Issues.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by her Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Jim Knight: This Department has undertaken the following activity in response to the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report.
	Defra is currently undertaking work on a Disability Equality Scheme which is required by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. This will address how the Department delivers and promotes its services to disabled employees and customers. As part of the scheme we will be developing specific indicators of progress which the report outlines as important in measuring success. This Disability Equality Scheme will be published by 1 December 2006.
	Although some of the recommendations made in the Strategy Unit Report are not directly within Defra's remit, the Department is doing a lot of work in relation to the recommendation
	improved support and incentives for getting and staying in employment."
	In particular disabled candidates are supported through the Two Ticks Scheme which ensures that all disabled applicants are interviewed for jobs, if they meet the minimum criteria for the post. In addition, the Department uses the Access to Work Scheme which independently assesses each disabled employee so reasonable adjustments can be made, where applicable, to enable them to develop and work to their full potential.

Energy Review

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received regarding the Energy Review; and when she expects the Energy Review to report to her.

Elliot Morley: The review of UK energy policy is being taken forward by a team led by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Energy. The review will report to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in early summer.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of the directive on procedures for the surveillance and monitoring of environments concerned by waste from the titanium dioxide industry, (b) Advisory Committee on the transportation of radioactive waste (surveillance and control) and (c) Committee overseeing the conditions governing imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: No meetings of these committees took place during the UK presidency.

Farm Payments

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department will pay interest on delayed payments under the (a) Entry Level Scheme and (b) single farm payments.

Jim Knight: For payments under the Entry Level Scheme there is no regulatory deadline by which payments must be made. Applicants can enter into agreements which can commence at intervals throughout the year with full payment being made in due course. A number of steps have been introduced this year to mitigate against the impact of later than planned delivery. Therefore interest on delayed payments is not appropriate. The Single Payment Scheme has a regulatory payment window which runs from 1 December to 30 June each year. Consideration would not be given to paying interest until this period has expired.

Farm Payments

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to the agricultural industry of a month's delay in payment by the Rural Payments Agency of the single farm payment.

Jim Knight: The EU regulatory window for payments under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme is 1 December 2005 to 30 June 2006. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) remains committed and on target to commence payments well within that window in February 2006. The cost to the agriculture industry of payments being made in one month rather than another would depend on individual farmers' circumstances.

Buncefield Oil Depot

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of carbon she estimates were emitted as a consequence of the fire at Hemel Hempstead; and what percentage of the UK's annual carbon emission this constitutes.

Elliot Morley: Whilst it is too early to say exactly how much fuel was burnt during the fire at the Buncefield oil depot earlier this month, a worst case scenario would suggest that approximately 42.9 kilo tonnes of carbon were released which would equate to about 0.03 per cent. of the UK's carbon emissions for 2005.

Buncefield Oil Depot

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role the Government Decontamination Service has played in responding to the Hemel Hempstead oil depot fire.

Elliot Morley: On being informed of the incident, Government Decontamination Service staff established contact with those involved in the response and recovery to establish whether GDS assistance was required.
	That contact was maintained until it was clear that there was no formal requirement on the part of the local authorities and emergency services for GDS advice, guidance and facilitation.

Hunting Trophies

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers the Government have to restrict the (a) importation and (b) retention of hunting trophies; and under what circumstances these powers would be used.

Jim Knight: Many of the species that are hunted for trophies are subject to EU legislation implementing the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES), which includes powers to enable member states to refuse imports where such trade is detrimental to the conservation of the species concerned. If we decide, on the basis of our scientific advice, that such trade is unsustainable we will press the European Commission to use its powers to suspend the trade.
	Powers are also available to prohibit the keeping of certain CITES specimens and we recently went out to public consultation on our proposals for using these powers. This included proposals to prohibit the keeping of trophies made from tigers, Tibetan antelopes and rhinos, which have prompted some respondents to call for the proposed prohibition to be extended to include all hunting trophies. We are currently considering all comments received during the consultation process and I shall announce our conclusions in the new year.

Pesticides

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish on the internet (a) the detailed record of discussions of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), (b) the agendas and minutes of the ACP's Medical and Toxicology Panel and (c) a declaration of interests of the ACP's Medical and Toxicology Panel.

Elliot Morley: A summary report of all ACP discussions is published. The Department has previously considered the feasibility of publishing the detailed record of the ACP's meetings but this was not taken forward due to the fact that certain commercially confidential information is included.
	As the Medical and Toxicology Panel of the ACP does not provide advice direct to Government it does not currently publish minutes. Most of the Panel's work is preparatory and reported direct to the ACP and hence reported in the ACP minutes. The ACP annual report lists the issues the panel has considered over the year.
	I have asked my officials to look again at these issues in consultation with the ACP and its panel members to see whether more information could be made available.
	Membership of the Medical and Toxicology Panel, and the affiliations of the non-ACP members, is published in the ACP annual report. Members are also required to declare any conflicts of interest at the start of each meeting, and the Chair decides the appropriate action in each case.

Road Traffic (Emissions)

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on the carbon dioxide emissions caused by road traffic congestion in (a) Harborough constituency and (b) the East Midlands Government office area.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department has not received any representations in respect of carbon dioxide emissions caused by traffic congestion in Harborough or the East Midlands.

Sustainability Symposia (Harlow)

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the representatives from her Department and public bodies for which her Department is responsible who attended the Harlow North Sustainability Symposia on 6 June.

Elliot Morley: So far as I am aware, one official from Defra attended this event along with two officials fromthe Environment Agency, one from the Waste Resources Action Programme and two from the Sustainable Development Commission.
	I believe this was a private event organised by Beyond Green under Chatham House rules.

Upland Farmers

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the optimum number of farmers in the English uplands to maintain sufficient land management capacity.

Jim Knight: holding answer 19 December 2005
	We are currently reviewing the future of upland reward in the context of the number of public benefits we wish to see delivered.
	While we understand the difficulties faced by upland farm businesses in England, and acknowledge the provision of public goods they deliver any future reward structure will be based on the delivery of public benefits for the receipt of public resource.

TRANSPORT

Act of Austria

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Committee on implementation of Protocol 9 to the Act of Austria concerning transport by road and rail and combined transport (Ecopoints), (b) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of roadworthiness tests of vehicles, (c) Committee for a transparent system of harmonised rules for restrictions on heavy goods vehicles involved in international transport on designated roads and (d) Advisory Committee for the harmonisation and comparability of the accounting and annual accounts of railway undertakings have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) and (b) There were no meetings of these Committees during the UK presidency.
	(c) As legislation on harmonised driving restrictions has yet to be adopted this Committee has not yet met.
	(d) There were no meetings of this Committee during the UK presidency.
	The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12–15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_ 600629.pdf

Carbon Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which unit in his Department is responsible for reducing carbon emissions.

Karen Buck: The Department's policy is to integrate environmental thinking into policy. Responsibility for reducing carbon emissions is therefore shared among all the relevant units in the Department and all schemes are appraised for their environmental impacts, including CO 2 emissions.

Concessionary Transport

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the provision of travel concessions for pensioners on public transport;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has held on the provision of free off-peak bus travel for old age pensioners in England.

Karen Buck: The statutory entitlement to free off-peak local bus travel in England for people 60 and over and disabled people will come into effect on 1 April 2006. The Secretary of State has had no recent discussions on concessionary fares. The Department for Transport has issued guidance to local authorities on implementation but it is for individual concessionary travel authorities to design and operate their local concessionary fares scheme.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by (a) his Department and previous Departments with his Department's responsibilities, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997.

Karen Buck: The Department was formed in May 2002. Details of spend on external consultants and advisers by the central Department and its Executive agencies is shown in the following table. Details in respect of non-departmental public bodies and other sponsored bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		£ million
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Central Department 57.2 58.5 65.2 
			 Highways Agency 157.5 169.7 115.0 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 4.0 3.4 4.8 
			 Driving Standards Agency 4.2 4.0 3.6 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 3.3 3.0 3.4 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1.2 0.8 1.2 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 Total 227.5 239.5 193.3

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Committee on the driving licence, (b) Advisory Committee on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, (c) Advisory Committee on the definition and use of compatible technical and operating standards andspecifications for the procurement of air-traffic-management equipment and systems and (d) Committee on the harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) and (b) There were no meetings of these committees during the UK presidency.
	(c) There were no meetings of this Committee during the UK presidency. The Committee will not meet again as the related directives 93/65/EEC and 97/15/EC and regulations (EC) numbers 2082/2000 and 980/2002 were repealed on 20 October 2005 by the Single European Sky interoperability regulation.
	(d) There have been three meetings of this Committee during the UK presidency. All of the meetings were chaired by the European Commission. DfT represented the UK. The Civil Aviation Authority also attended one of the meetings.
	The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12–15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_ 600629.pdf

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Committee for the establishment of conditions for the interoperability of the trans-European high speed rail system, (b) Committee on the adaption to scientific and technical progress of legislation concerning the transport of dangerous goods, (c) Committee for the adaption of technical progress of recording equipment in road transport (tachographs) and (d) Community—Switzerland Transport Committee (rail and road) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is as follows.
	(a) There have been three meetings of this committee during the UK presidency. DfT and the Health and Safety Executive were represented. These were chaired by the European Commission.
	(b) There has been one meeting of this Committee during the UK presidency. It was chaired by the European Commission. DfT officials represented the UK.
	(c) There were no meetings of this committee during the UK presidency.
	(d) There has been one meeting of this committee during the UK presidency. DfT did not attend.
	The UK Government take into account the views and interests of the devolved Administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved Administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12–15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved Administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_ 600629.pdf.

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Committee on the system of charging for the use of transport infrastructure, (b) Committee on the development of the trans-European transport networks and (c) Committee for granting Community financial aid in the field of trans-European energy networks have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is as follows.
	(a) There have been no meetings of this committee during the UK presidency.
	(b) There has been one meeting of this Committee during the UK presidency. The Committee was chaired by the Commission and the UK was represented by DfT.
	(c) The policy area with which this Committee deals is not the responsibility of the Department for Transport.
	The UK Government take into account the views andinterests of the devolved Administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved Administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12–15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved Administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_ 600629.pdf.

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Committee for granting Community financial aid in the field of trans-European transport networks, (b) Committee for granting Community financial aid in the field of trans-European telecommunications networks, (c) Advisory Committee on the management of the research programme for management and storage of radioactive waste and management of the Community plan of action in the field of radioactive waste and (d) Committee on application of the legislation on application of tonnage measurement of ballast spaces in segregated ballast of oil tankers have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is as follows.
	(a) There has been one meeting of this committee during the UK presidency. The committee was chaired by the European Commission. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on the 2005 annual bidding round.
	(b) and (c) The policy areas with which these committees deal are not the responsibility of the Department for Transport.
	(d) The committee referred to no longer deals with this subject area. In 2002 its responsibility was assumed by a new committee called the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (known as COSS). COSS was created by Regulation (EC) No. 2099/2002 to centralise the tasks of earlier committees that had been set up under Community maritime legislation to assist the European Commission.
	During the UK presidency there has been one meeting of the full COSS and one meeting of a COSS Working Group of Experts. Neither discussed the subject area of the committee referred to at (d) in the hon. Member's question. The COSS meetings were presided over by the European Commission. The UK was represented by officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, an Executive agency of the Department for Transport.
	The UK Government take into account the views and interests of the devolved Administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved Administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12–15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved Administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_ 600629.pdf.

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Implementation Committee on minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports carrying dangerous or polluting goods, (b) Committee on transfer of ships from one register to another within the Community, (c) Advisory Committee on aids to transport by rail, road and inland waterway, (d) Advisory Committee for the application of legislation on the development of the community railways and (e) Advisory Committee for the application of uniform principles on costing for railway undertakings have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is as follows.
	(a) and (b) The committees referred to no longer deal with these subject areas. In 2002 their responsibilities were assumed by a new committee called the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (known as COSS). COSS was created by Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002 to centralise the tasks of earlier committees that had been set up under Community maritime legislation to assist the European Commission.
	During the UK presidency there has been one meeting of the full COSS and one meeting of a COSS Working Group of Experts.
	Neither discussed the subject areas of the committees referred to at (a) and (b) in the hon. Member's question. The COSS meetings were presided over by the European Commission. The UK was represented by officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.
	(c) There were no meetings of this Committee during the UK presidency.
	(d) There has been one meeting of this committee during the UK Presidency. It was chaired by the European Commission. The UK was represented by officials from DfT and the Office of Rail Regulation.
	(e) There were no meetings of this Committee during the UK presidency.
	The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12 to 15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_ dev_ 600629.pdf

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings the (a) Advisory Committee on transport, (b) EC-Bulgaria Joint Transport Committee, (c) EC-Romania Joint Transport Committee, (d) Consultative Committee European Energy and Transport Forum and (e) EC-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Transport Committee have taken place during the UK Presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) , (b) and (c) There were no meetings of these Committees during the UK presidency.
	(d) There was one meeting of this Forum during the UK presidency. It is a stakeholders' body, chaired by the Commission. DfT does not attend.
	(e) There was no meeting of this Committee during the UK presidency.
	The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12 to 15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm dev_ 600629.pdf

EU Transport Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Advisory Committee on measures to be taken in the event of a crisis in the market in the carriage of goods by road and for laying down the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate national road haulage services, (b) Advisory Committee for the application of legislation on the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate national road passenger transport services within a member state and (c) Committee on the reciprocal recognition of national boatmasters' certificates of the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterways have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: None of these committees met during the UK presidency.
	The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12 to 15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_ dev_ 600629.pdf

First Aid (Driving Tests)

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce basic first aid education as part of the driving test requirements.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 27 October 2005, Official Report, column 504W.

Ministerial Meetings

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list meetings held between Ministers and (a) airport authorities and (b) interested groups since June; and if he will place the minutes of the meetings in the Library.

Karen Buck: Ministers and officials have met with a wide range of aviation stakeholders, including airlines, airports and local and environmental interest groups. The matters discussed at many of them are confidential for commercial or other reasons, therefore it would not be appropriate to summarise the details of these meetings or to place the minutes in the House Library.

Mobile Phones

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to inform motorists of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

Stephen Ladyman: Messages on the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving are promoted as part of the Department's THINK! road safety campaign, which has a budget of £18 million in this fiscal year.
	Mobile phone messages have been included in the THINK! campaign since 2002. Activity this fiscal year includes cinema and radio advertising and leaflets and posters which encourage drivers to switch off their mobile phones before they drive off, using captions such as switch off before you drive off" and missing a call won't kill you".
	Provisions in the Road Safety Bill, presently before the House, will make the penalty for the offences of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, and for not having proper control of a vehicle (used to deal with those who drive poorly while using a hands-free phone), endorseable with three points and a £60 fine. Subject to parliamentary consideration of the Bill, the Department will promote awareness of the increased penalties.

Mobile Phones

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held with the Home Office regarding the enforcement of the offence of driving while using a mobile phone.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department is in regular discussion with the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers on all aspects of roads policing. In this context, Ministers from the two Departments and the Head of the ACPO Road Policing Business Area issued a joint Roads Policing Strategy Statement on 11 January 2005—available online at www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_033749.pdf
	The day to day enforcement of road traffic law is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. They are best placed to recognise local concerns and to identify and assess the nature and cause of specific local problems. They will then determine how best to deploy their resources to address them in the light of their overall priorities.

Motorbikes

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the value of new motorbikes purchased in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not available.

Motorbikes

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new motorbikes were purchased in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of motorcycles newly registered in Great Britain are as follows:
	
		
			  Thousand 
		
		
			 1997 106.4 
			 1998 117.2 
			 1999 123.0 
			 2000 118.8 
			 2001 112.4 
			 2002 110.0 
			 2003 108.8 
			 2004 98.4 
		
	
	Source:
	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
	These figures exclude scooters and mopeds.

Motorbikes

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the value of second-hand motorbikes purchased in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not available

Port of Sharpness

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made towards re-opening a rail link to the Port of Sharpness.

Derek Twigg: The Department has not received any proposals to re-establish rail links to the Port of Sharpness.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what month he expects to publish the specification for the new merged Central Trains/Midland Mainline railway franchise.

Derek Twigg: Our current expectation is that consultation on the new East Midlands franchise draft specification will commence in summer 2006.

Railways

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average age is of passenger trains on (a) the London and South East heavy rail network, (b) the local regional rail network and (c) the Northern Trains franchise.

Derek Twigg: The average age of passenger trains, as at 1 October 2005 is approximately as follows: London and South East Network 12 years; the regional network 16 years and Northern Trains franchise 17 years.

Road Accidents

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) males and (b) females were (i)killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured as a result of a motor vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the road in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available.

Road Deaths

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road deaths there have been in the Nottinghamshire county council area in the last three years.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatalities in personal injury road accidents, in the Nottinghamshire county council area (excluding the City of Nottingham) in the last three years is given in table.
	
		Fatalities in personal injury road accidents(3) in Nottinghamshire CC (excl. Nottingham City)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002 69 
			 2003 64 
			 2004 54 
		
	
	(3)Deaths within 30 days of the accident. Excludes confirmed suicides, death from natural causes and injuries to pedestrians with no vehicle involvement (e.g. a fall on the pavement).

Roads

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost has been to his Department of (a) repairing existing and (b) building new roads in each year since 1997, broken down by category of road.

Stephen Ladyman: The motorways and trunks roads of the strategic road network are managed by the Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport. The reporting of the cost of these roads is notbroken down by category of road. The figures for repairing existing and building new roads on this network since 1998–99 are:
	
		£ billion
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Repairing(4) 0.64 0.72 0.74 0.71 0.76 0.78 0.73 
			 Building new roads(5) 0.32 0.36 0.31 0.40 0.51 0.35 0.35 
		
	
	(4)Resource and capital expenditure.
	(5)The apparent decrease in spending between 2002–03 and 2003–04 is due to a change in accounting treatment of lands provisions.
	Note:
	Information is not readily available for 1997–98.
	This information includes expenditure on roads in London until the creation of Transport for London in 2000. The later numbers do not include this expenditure, which is now a matter for the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly.

Roads

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Article 14 Directives have been served by the Highways Agency on developments in North Northamptonshire.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency has served eight Article 14 Directions in North Northamptonshire since 1 January 2005. An additional direction issued in December 2004 is still in force. The Highways Agency offered no objection to a further 44 Planning Applications. Details of the directions are shown in the following table:
	
		Table 1
		
			 LPA Council reference Received Issue date 
		
		
			 Wellingborough WP/2004/0362/O 6 September 2004 7 November 2005 
			 Corby 04/00240/OUT 11 March 2004 8 December 2004 
			 Corby 04/00442/OUT 13 December 2004 24 February 2005 
			 Corby 05/00078/OUT 6 January 2005 7 January 2005 
			 Corby 05/00013/OUT 2 April 2005 3 July 2005 
			 Corby 05/000119/OUT 28 April 2005 31 May 2005 
			 Corby 05/00159/DPA 24 May 2005 14 June 2005 
			 Corby 05/00171/OUT 26 May 2005 6 October 2005 
			 Northants CC KE/05 and WP/05 25 August 2005 19 September 2005 
		
	
	
		
			 LPA HA response Applicant name Development details 
		
		
			 Wellingborough Conditions—travel plan Hampton Brook Ltd Land Off Bourton Way, Wellingborough 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Corby Developments Ltd. Priors Hall 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Taylor Woodrow Developments Ltd Land South of Long Croft Road, Corby 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Brian Barber Associates Land at Weldon Park, Oundle Road, 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Astral Developments Ltd Eurohub, Land North of Long Croft Road, Corby 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Morrisons Supermarkets Land North of Birchington Road 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Boden Properties Ltd Retail Warehouse, St. Mark's Road 
			 Corby Holding Direction—insufficient information Quadrant Estates (Corby) Ltd Land North of Cockerell Road 
			 Northants CC Holding Direction—insufficient information Northamptonshire County Council A509 Isham Bypass

Roads

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had with Northamptonshire county council about the construction of new distributor road capacity around Kettering.

Stephen Ladyman: None.

Seat Belts

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) front and (b) rear seat belt wearing rates are among (i) males and (ii) females in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the equivalent rates were in (A)1980, (B) 1982, (C) 1983, (D)1984, (E) 1987, (F) 1990, (G) 1992, (H) 1994, (I) 1996 and (J) 1998.

Stephen Ladyman: Survey data on observed seat belt wearing rates from 1982 to 1989 only cover front seat occupants of cars and do not distinguish by gender. Surveys were not made prior to 1982. The available data are in the table:
	
		Wearing rates for car front seat occupants -- Percentage
		
			 Month Driver Passenger 
		
		
			 May 1982 37 39 
			 April 1983 95 94 
			 April 1984 95 96 
			 April 1987 94 95 
		
	
	Source:
	TRRL report RR289: Restraint use by car occupants 1982 to 1989"
	From October 1988, surveys provided the following observed wearing rates for drivers and front and rear occupants:
	
		Wearing rates for car drivers and front and rear seat occupants
		
			 As at April 1990 Percentage 
		
		
			 Driver 93 
			 Front passenger 93 
			 Rear passenger 45 
		
	
	Source:
	TRRL leaflet LF2051 Restraint use by car occupants 1990–91"
	From April 1991 the surveys provided observed wearing rates by age group for drivers and by age group and gender for front and rear occupants, shown in the following table. Later surveys provided wearing rates by gender for drivers. A gender split for children is only available from April 2003. Prior to April 2003, the data for children in rear seats are split into 0–4 and 5–13 age groups and wearing rates are not aggregated.
	
		Wearing rates for car drivers, front and rear seat occupants distinguished by age group and gender -- Percentage
		
			  Driver Front seat passenger Rear seat passenger 
			  Age groups 
			 Gender 17–29 30–59 60 0–13 14–29 30–59 60 0–13 14–29 30–59 60 or 0–4/5–13 
		
		
			 April 1992 
			 Male 91 93 94 94 83 87 88 85/67 44 39 48 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 93 96 95 — 41 51 55 
			 
			 April 1994 
			 Male 92 93 94 97 87 89 93 82/81 36 40 53 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 93 97 96 — 46 53 65 
			 
			 April 1996 
			 Male 91 91 93 95 84 91 93 85/74 31 42 53 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 92 96 95 — 40 48 59 
			 
			 April 1998 
			 Male 91 91 93 96 84 86 89 87/73 38 36 59 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 91 95 95 — 46 52 66 
			 
			 April 1999 
			 Male 91 92 94 97 88 90 92 94/86 53 47 70 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 94 96 97 — 58 61 72 
			 April 2000 
			 Male 88 91 93 96 83 89 93 94/86 45 45 69 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 93 96 97 — 49 61 74 
			 
			 April 2001 
			 Male 91 91 92 96 83 85 92 94/85 54 49 55 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 93 96 96 — 52 52 70 
			 
			 April 2002 
			 Male 91 91 93 95 86 85 93 97/86 53 37 59 
			 Female (6)— (6)— (6)— — 93 96 97 — 61 58 69 
			 
			 April 2003 
			 Male 86 88 92 96 82 81 93 90 51 41 68 
			 Female 93 95 94 96 92 96 97 91 61 64 73 
			 
			 April 2004 
			 Male 88 91 92 96 84 89 94 92 57 47 69 
			 Female 96 96 96 97 94 96 97 93 71 67 80 
			 
			 April 2005 
			 Male 90 90 94 98 87 88 95 93 56 45 65 
			 Female 96 96 97 96 93 96 98 92 70 66 80 
		
	
	Source:
	TRL leaflets Lf2056, 2068, 2077, 2078, 2081, 2083, 2085, 2087, 2090, 2092, 2096.
	The most recent survey results, Restraint use by car occupants 2003 to 2005" (Reference Lf2096) are available free from TRL at www.trl.co.uk/store/report_list.asp?pid=211&pno=6&searchtext= (listed under Reports 51–54). Earlier reports are available on application to TRL (www.trl.co.uk).

Speed Cameras

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will permit revenue raised from speed camera fines to be used to fund 20 mph zones outside schools.

Stephen Ladyman: The current funding arrangement of the National Safety Camera Programme allows for revenue raised from safety cameras to be used only to fund the deployment of safety cameras.
	This is because the Safety Camera Programme has a specific purpose, provided for in the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001, section 38 'Unified power for the Secretary of State to fund speed cameras etc' whereby police forces and highway authorities are provided with extra resources to support the deployment and operation of safety cameras, from the fines for speeding and red lightoffences detected, over and above their main road safety funding. The resources provided through the programme cannot therefore be used for any other purposes, not provided for in the Act.
	Under this current arrangement any surplus fine revenue is paid to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury.
	The Secretary of State announced on 15 December 2005 that this funding arrangement for safety cameras will end on 31 March 2007. From 1 April 2007 all future income from safety cameras in England and Wales will go to the Consolidated Fund in the same way as other fines.
	In England the Department for Transport will be enhancing the level of funding for road safety within the local transport planning process by £440 million over the period 2007–08 to 2010–11. This new arrangement for funding road safety will give local road safety partnerships (local authorities, the police and other agencies who work with them) greater flexibility to implement the mix of road safety measures, including 20 mph zones around schools, that will make the greatest contribution to reducing road casualties in their area.
	On 1 April 2007, responsibility for safety cameras in Wales will transfer to the National Assembly for Wales. I understand that the Welsh Assembly Government are considering future funding arrangements.

Speed Cameras

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 328W, on speed cameras, what previous studies of regression to the mean effect on the statistics relating to the number of accidents on roads with speed cameras have been conducted; and what the results were.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport has not conducted any previous studies of the regression to the mean effect on the number of accidents on roads with speed cameras.

Speed Cameras

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras there are in the county of Nottinghamshire excluding cameras on theA1.

Stephen Ladyman: The table shows the number of speed camera sites, broken down by type, which are operated by the Nottinghamshire Safety Camera Partnership, excluding those on the A1.
	
		
			  Nottinghamshire Nottingham city Total 
		
		
			 Combined speed/red light 2 0 2 
			 Time/distance 7 4 11 
			 Fixed 6 3 9 
			 Mobile 24 12 36 
			 Total 39 19 58 
		
	
	There may be several camera housings contained within one site. The police have the discretion to enforce speed limits outside the national safety camera programme, and this could be done anywhere on the road network.

Speed Cameras

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department collects centrally on speeding fines.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on speeding fines is collected by the Home Office. The only information held by the Department is the total income from fixed penalty fines from safety cameras that are operated as part of the safety camera programme. This information is available for each area that participates in the national safety camera programme. The latest information available is shown in the Audit Certificates published on the Department's website at www.dft.gov.uk/safetycameras.

Transport (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) serious road traffic accidents occurred in the Gravesham constituency in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatal and serious personal injury road traffic accidents in the Gravesham constituency since 1997 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Fatal accidents Serious accidents 
		
		
			 1997 5 36 
			 1998 7 36 
			 1999 5 48 
			 2000 4 44 
			 2001 3 47 
			 2002 6 30 
			 2003 3 39 
			 2004 3 36 
		
	
	The accidents in the table are those which occurred within the 2004 boundary of Gravesham constituency.

Trust Ports

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grants have been made to each trust port in the last 12 months (a) in total and (b) broken down by type of grant.

Stephen Ladyman: Trust ports receive no grants from this Department to support their functions as Statutory Harbour Authorities. I understand that grants were given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for fishing port facilities in 2005 to the following trust ports:
	
		£
		
			 Trust port Amount 
		
		
			 Mevagissey 56,705 
			 Newlyn 1,043,366 
			 North Sunderland (Seahouses) 9,038 
			 Port Isaac 40,000 
			 Sennen Cove 2,473 
			 Warkworth (Amble) 111,007

Vehicle Excise Duty

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) private cars, (b) commercial vans, (c) lorries and (d) motorbikes did not have their vehicle excise duty renewed in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The estimated number of vehicles that did not have their excise duty renewed for each year in Great Britain is as follows:
	
		Thousand
		
			  (a) Cars (b) Commercial vans (c) Lorries (d) Motorbikes 
		
		
			 1997 1,564 162 34 112 
			 1998 1,812 184 46 88 
			 1999 1,578 172 25 97 
			 2000 1,908 212 28 122 
			 2001 1,865 202 32 126 
			 2002 2,032 218 22 108 
			 2003 2,197 227 22 99 
			 2004 1,817 194 11 82 
		
	
	Source:
	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
	The figures are produced by comparing the number of vehicles newly registered each year against the overall increase in stock. Vehicles that were renewed in a later year than the expiry date are included in the year in which they were renewed.
	The Motorbike data includes scooters and mopeds as well as motorbikes.

Vehicle Registration

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the number of foreign registered (a) cars, (b) commercial vans and (c) lorries on UK roads in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Estimates of the number of foreign registered vehicles on UK roads are not available. However, the estimated number of foreign registered vehicles leaving the UK is as follows.
	
		Estimated number of foreign registered vehicles(6) leaving the UK: 1997 to 2004 -- Thousand
		
			  Cars(7) Goods vehicles(8) 
		
		
			 1997 1,019 671 
			 1998 880 826 
			 1999 (9)1,015 967 
			 2000 801 1,153 
			 2001 722 1,319 
			 2002 862 1,435 
			 2003 770 1,453 
			 2004 799 1,595 
		
	
	(6)Vehicles leaving on ferries or through the Channel Tunnel. Figures are for vehicle trips (i.e. a vehicle is counted once each time it leaves the UK).
	(7)Cars includes minibuses (small passenger vehicles with 9 to 15 passenger seats) and similar vehicles, and light goods vehicles up to 4.5 metres long.
	(8)Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
	(9)From 1999, traffic between the UK and the Irish Republic, either by sea or across the land border (about 130,000 cars) is included. This was excluded in earlier years.
	Source:
	Cars, International Passenger Survey (Office for National Statistics); Goods vehicles, Roll on/Roll off Goods Vehicle Survey (Department for Transport)

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Art Loans

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport what steps she has taken to reassure the Russian Government that works of art on loan to British museums and galleries will not be seizedas a result of international debts owed to third parties.

David Lammy: No discussions have as yet taken place with the Russian Government on these issues. I am meeting museum and gallery directors most affected by these issues shortly to discuss possible solutions and to consider how we can reassure Russian museums and galleries as to the safety of continuing to lend items to UK institutions.

Churches (Inspired Campaign)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the implications for churches in the Vale of York of English Heritage's Inspired campaign.

David Lammy: No specific assessment has been made of the potential implications of the campaign on churches in the Vale of York. When the Inspired campaign is launched in May 2006, it will bring together existing and new research to provide an accurate picture of the repair needs of listed places of worship, and the support required by congregations. Information on the most vulnerable places of worship will be available at a county level.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter dated 25 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Mike Amesbury.

James Purnell: I am sorry for not replying sooner to my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton's question tabled on 8 December. I replied to my right hon. Friend's letter on 20 December.

Departmental Expenditure

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i)public relations and (ii) graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project.

David Lammy: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Department has had a zero spend on design and production of new logos since 2000.
	(b) (i) The Department spent £100,000 on public relations in 2004–05. The Department anticipates a spend of £250,000 on public relations in 2005–06 (both public relations spends relate to the Digital Campaign).
	(ii) The information on graphic design agencies broken down by projects could be given only at disproportionate cost. However the total spend on publicity, including all graphic design work, since 2000 are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1999–2000 497,404 
			 2000–01 497,243 
			 2001–02 318,140 
			 2002–03 386,233 
			 2003–04 533,549 
			 2004–05 711,242

Departmental Expenditure

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the annual expenditure on training and development for (a) her Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) executive agency and (iii) other public body for which she is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

David Lammy: For the last three financial years the totalcost to (a) the Department of all training and development provision was as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Cost 
		
		
			 2002–03 482,573 
			 2003–04 453,709 
			 2004–05 621,349 
		
	
	The information for (b) (i) Non-Departmental Public Bodies and (iii) other public bodies for which the Secretary of State is responsible is not collected centrally on a regional basis and so could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	(ii) The figures for The Royal Parks Agency, the Department's only executive agency, are as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 2002–03 33,000 
			 2003–04 24,000 
			 2004–05 62,000 
		
	
	In reference to points (A), (B), (C) and (D), neither DCMS nor the Royal Parks Agency has offices outside London.
	The planned expenditure on training and development for the Department for 2005–06 is £621,000.
	The planned expenditure on training and development for the Royal Parks Agency for 2005–06 is £100,000.

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department spent on bottled water in 2004–05.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport spent £19,059.00 on bottled water in 2004–05.
	The Royal Parks Agency spent £865.27 on bottled water in 2004–05.

Departmental Jobs (Regional Distribution)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of jobs in (a) her Department and (b) each (i) executive agency, (ii) non-departmental public body and (iii) other public body for which his Department is responsible are located in (A) Scotland, (B) each of the English regions, (C) Wales, (D) Northern Ireland and (E) overseas; and what proportion in each area has responsibilities which apply to (1) England only, (2) England and Wales and (3) the UK as a whole.

David Lammy: Permanent staff numbers on a (FTE basis) are published in Table D Civil Service Statistics. This information is available on the Cabinet Office Statistics website: <http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ of_the_civil_service/statistics/civil_service_statistics/index.asp>
	All jobs in DCMS and Royal Parks are based in the London region.
	The other information is not held centrally i.e. that relating to:
	Non Departmental Public Bodies and other public bodies for which the Department is responsible broken down by geographical regions, and
	what proportion in each area has responsibilities which apply to the areas requested.
	This information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport how many civil servants inher Department worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not centrally monitor staff working patterns. However, of those we know, there are 25 people who regularly work from home for at least one day a week.
	The Department continues in its commitment to Work Life Balance and has policies in place to encourage staff to take advantage of a wide range of alternative working patterns on offer, including working from home.

Elite Athletes (Funding)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what submissions her Department has received concerning funding for elite athletes at the (a) 2008 and (b) 2012 Olympics; from whom those submissions came; what increase in funding they recommended; over what time period; and if she will make those submissions public.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 19 December 2005
	DCMS has received advice in the form of a submission from UK Sport, the Government's lead agency on elite sport. The Government are looking carefully at the case for additional funding for elite athletes in advance of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. The Government are looking at a range of funding options, but are not in a position at this stage to make public the levels of funding under discussion.
	We have not received any further submissions on this matter.

Free Television Licences

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households are in receipt of free television licences in Swansea East.

Richard Caborn: TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in Swansea East in 200405 was 4,245, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

Gambling Act 2005

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the timetable is for the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005, including (a) the publication of regulations, (b) the anticipated parliamentary timetable for the ratification of secondary legislation and (c) the timetable for licensing authorities to consult on their licensing policies and receive applications for premises licences for casinos.

Richard Caborn: We plan to bring the Gambling Act 2005 fully into force with effect from September 2007.
	The first two commencement orders were made at the end of August 2005. These brought into force on 1 October 2005 the provisions of the Act formally creating the Gambling Commission.
	My Department has been considering the remaining subordinate legislation needed to complete the process of implementation and the timetable for that legislation. We propose to publish details early in the new year.
	We plan to lay regulations setting out the form that the licensing authorities' three-year licensing policy statements should take, on 10 March 2006. These regulations shall come into effect on 31 March 2006.
	Licensing authorities must publish their policy statements at least one month before they come into effect, which will be on 31 January 2007.
	We have established an independent Casino Advisory Panel to advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of her powers to specify which local authorities may issue the new casino premises licences created by the Act. The panel is due to make its recommendations by the end of 2006, and the Secretary of State will announce her decisions in spring 2007. Those licensing authorities which are selected are required to be specified in an order under section 175(4). That order will be subject to parliamentary approval by the affirmative resolution procedure.

Gambling Act 2005

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Gambling Commission has issued on when licensing authorities may (i) consult on and (ii) adopt, a policy resolution not to issue casino licences under the Gambling Act 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Licensing authorities may have regard to any principle or matter in passing a resolution, made under section 166 of the Gambling Act 2005, not to issue a casino premises licence. They may consult local people at any time and in any manner on their views on casinos, and we envisage that many will want to do so when considering making a resolution under section 166.
	Licensing authorities will not be able to pass a resolution until the relevant provisions in section 166 have been formally commenced. This will be done in good time for any resolution to be included in licensing authorities' three year licensing policy statements.
	Draft guidance to licensing authorities about the exercise of their functions under the Gambling Act 2005was published by the Gambling Commission on 16 December 2005.

Gaming Regulation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on the regulation of (a) fixed odds betting terminals and (b) adult gaming centres.

Richard Caborn: During the passage of the Gambling Act through Parliament the Department received representations from the Association of British Bookmakers, other gambling industry bodies, and the British Greyhound Racing Board regarding the regulation of fixed odds betting terminals.
	The Department has also received representations from British Amusement Catering Trades Association, faith groups and correspondence from members of the public regarding the regulation of both fixed odds betting terminals and adult gaming centres.

Gaming Regulation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which casino premises are (a) licensed and (b) licensed and operational under the 1968 Gambling Act.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Location Casino Operating yes/no 
		
		
			 Aberdeen International Casino Yes 
			 Aberdeen Gala Casino Yes 
			 Birkenhead Stanley Wirral Casino Yes 
			 Birmingham Circus Casino Yes 
			 Birmingham Grosvenor Fiveways Casino Yes 
			 Birmingham Broadway Casino Yes 
			 Birmingham Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Birmingham Grosvenor Casino No 
			 Birmingham Gala International Casino Yes 
			 Birmingham Stanley Midland Wheel Club Yes 
			 Birmingham Rainbow Casino Yes 
			 Blackpool Paris Casino Yes 
			 Blackpool Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Blackpool The Oasis Casino No 
			 Blackpool Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Bolton Grosvenor Casino Moor Lane Yes 
			 Bolton Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Bournemouth Gala Casino Yes 
			 Bournemouth Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Bradford Gala Casino Yes 
			 Bradford Napoleons Casino Club Yes 
			 Brighton and Hove Rendezvous Casino Yes 
			 Brighton and Hove Stanley Brighton International Casino Yes 
			 Brighton and Hove Grosvenor Casino, Brighton Yes 
			 Brighton and Hove Grosvenor Casino, Hove  
			 Bristol Gala Casino No 
			 Bristol Gala Casino Yes 
			 Bristol Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Bristol Stanley Annabelle Casino Yes 
			 Bristol Triangle Casino Yes 
			 Cardiff Les Croupiers Casino Yes 
			 Cardiff Gala Electric Casino Yes 
			 Cardiff Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Coventry Stanley Annabelle Casino Yes 
			 Coventry Isle of Capri Casino No 
			 Coventry Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Derby Stanley Grand Casino Yes 
			 Derby Gala Casino No 
			 Derby Stanley Carlton Casino Club Yes 
			 Dudley Castle Hill Casino Yes 
			 Dundee Grosvenor Casino No 
			 Dundee Gala Casino Yes 
			 Edinburgh Stanley Berkeley Casino Yes 
			 Edinburgh Stanley Edinburgh Casino Yes 
			 Edinburgh Stanley Leith Casino Yes 
			 Edinburgh Gala Maybury Casino Yes 
			 Glasgow Rendezvous Casino No 
			 Glasgow Gala Merchant City Casino Yes 
			 Glasgow Gala Riverboat Casino Yes 
			 Glasgow Gala Rotunda Casino Yes 
			 Glasgow Stanley Berkeley Casino Yes 
			 Glasgow Gala Casino Yes 
			 Great Yarmouth Stanley Kings Casino Yes 
			 Great Yarmouth Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Huddersfield Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull Gala Casino Yes 
			 Kingston-upon-Hull Napoleons Casino Club Yes 
			 Leeds Napoleons Casino Club Yes 
			 Leeds Grosvenor Casino (Moortown) Yes 
			 Leeds Gala Casino Yes 
			 Leeds Grosvenor Casino (Merrion) Yes 
			 Leeds Rendezvous Casino No 
			 Leicester Gala Casino Yes 
			 Leicester Stanley Annabelle Casino Yes 
			 Leicester Stanley Leicester East Bond Street Casino Yes 
			 Liverpool Leo Casino Yes 
			 Liverpool Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Liverpool Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Liverpool Stanley Grand Casino Yes 
			 London Empire Casino No 
			 London Ladbroke Casino and Sports Bar No 
			 London Gala Casino (Russell Square) Yes 
			 London Gala Casino (Tottenham Court Road) Yes 
			 London Gala Barracuda Casino Yes 
			 London Sportsman Yes 
			 London Gala Golden Horseshoe Yes 
			 London Grosvenor Victoria Casino Yes 
			 London Rendezvous Casino Yes 
			 London 50 St. James Yes 
			 London Crockfords Club Yes 
			 London Golden Nugget Yes 
			 London Hard Rock Casino Yes 
			 London Ritz Club Yes 
			 London Les Ambassadeurs Club Yes 
			 London Clermont Club Yes 
			 London Palm Beach Casino Yes 
			 London Aspinall's Yes 
			 London Colony Club Yes 
			 London Napoleons Casino Yes 
			 London Gala Casino (Piccadilly) Yes 
			 London London Park Tower Casino Yes 
			 London Mint Casino Yes 
			 London Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 London The Connoissuer Club Yes 
			 London Maxims Casino Club Yes 
			 Luton Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Luton Stanley Luton International Casino Yes 
			 Luton Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Lytham St. Annes Stanley St. Annes Casino Yes 
			 Manchester Rendezvous Casino No 
			 Manchester Grosvenor Casino (Empire St.) Yes 
			 Manchester Grosvenor Casino (Whitworth) Yes 
			 Manchester Hard Rock Casino Yes 
			 Manchester Grosvenor Casino (George St.) Yes 
			 Manchester Stanley Casino (The Circus) Yes 
			 Manchester Stanley Strand Casino Yes 
			 Margate Regal Sporting Club Yes 
			 Margate Stanley Margate Casino Yes 
			 Newcastle Bannatyne's Casino Yes 
			 Newcastle Aspers Casino Yes 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Northampton Gala Casino Yes 
			 Northampton Tanners Casino No 
			 Northampton Gala Regent Casino Yes 
			 Nottingham Gala Casino (Maid Marion Way) Yes 
			 Nottingham Gala Casino (Bridlesmith Gate) Yes 
			 Nottingham Rendezvous Casino No 
			 Plymouth Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Plymouth Stanley Grand Casino Yes 
			 Portsmouth Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Portsmouth and Southsea Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Portsmouth and Southsea Grosvenor Casino (Osborne) Yes 
			 Ramsgate Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Reading Grosvenor Casino No 
			 Reading Reading Sporting Club Yes 
			 Reading Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Salford Stanley Albion Casino Yes 
			 Salford Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Scarborough Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Scarborough Opera House Casino Yes 
			 Sheffield Napoleons (Owlerton) Yes 
			 Sheffield Napoleons (Ecclesall) Yes 
			 Sheffield Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Southampton Harbour House Casino Yes 
			 Southampton Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Southampton Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Southend-on-Sea Westcliff Sporting Club Yes 
			 Southend-on-Sea Rendezvous Casino Club Yes 
			 Southend-on-Sea Spielers Casino Yes 
			 Southport Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Stockport Casino 36 Yes 
			 Stockport Gala Casino Yes 
			 Stoke-on-Trent Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Stoke-on-Trent Stanley Casino Yes 
			 Sunderland Gala Casino Yes 
			 Swansea Lanes Casino No 
			 Swansea Grosvenor Casino No 
			 Swansea Aspers No 
			 Swansea Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Teesside Royale Casino No 
			 Teesside Gala Casino Yes 
			 Teeside Grosvenor Casino No 
			 Torquay Stanley Torquay Casino Yes 
			 Walsall Grosvenor Casino Yes 
			 Walsall Stanley Casino No 
			 Walsall Sorrento Casino Yes 
			 Warley Grosvenor Casino No 
			 West Bromwich The Shaftesbury Casino Yes 
			 Wolverhampton Gala Casino Yes 
			 Wolverhampton Rubicon Casino Yes

Gaming Regulation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications the Gambling Commission has received for new casinos under the 1968 Gambling Act in each of the last 24 months.

Richard Caborn: The Gambling Commission (previously the Gaming Board for Great Britain) considers applications for certificates of consent for casinos. Once a certificate of consent is issued, operators can then apply to the Licensing Justices for a Gaming Licence. The following table sets out the number of applications for certificates of consent in respect of new casinos that the Gaming Board has received during the period requested.
	
		
			  Applications for certificates of consent for new casinos 
		
		
			 2003  
			 December 1 
			   
			 2004  
			 January 0 
			 February 0 
			 March 2 
			 April 1 
			 May 1 
			 June 0 
			 July 2 
			 August 1 
			 September 2 
			 October 2 
			 November 3 
			 December 4 
			   
			 2005  
			 January 2 
			 February 1 
			 March 4 
			 April 1 
			 May 6 
			 June 13 
			 July 11 
			 August 4 
			 September 4 
			 October 0 
			 November 3

Gyms (Accessibility)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with operators of national gymnasium chains on accessibility by disabled users; what assessment she has made of the current levels of access to gymnasia for disabled people; and if she will discuss steps to require gyms to be fully accessible to disabled users with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Richard Caborn: All Government Departments are committed to the broader vision of improving the life chances of disabled people through the delivery of services and the development of their policies. The Department for Work and Pension's Inter-Departmental Group on Disability is a forum for DCMS to take part in policy discussions on disability issues.
	DCMS has had no discussions with national gymnasium chains about accessibility but in August 2005 I wrote to all local authorities reminding them of their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act in the context of leisure and tourism facilities.
	Since 2001, Sport England (SE), working in partnership with the English Federation of Disability Sport ( EFDS), has invested 6 million in the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI). The investment has supported the development of 180 fully accessible local authority gyms which have a required minimum level of accessible gym equipment; suitably trained staff; marketing which is targeted at members of the disabled community; and strong links with other sporting opportunities for disabled people.
	SE and the EFDS are also working with fitness gym providers such as Cannons and Fitness First to improve provision for disabled people in private sector facilities.

Licensed Premises

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of (a) the proportion of licensed premises to which children have access and (b) the proportion of these premises which (i)serve and (ii) do not serve food.

Richard Caborn: Under the old regime, it was legal for unsupervised children of any age to enter and remain in licensed premises so long as they did not enter the 'bar area'. Under the new regime, there are restrictions that prevent unaccompanied children under 16 being present in certain categories of premises that sell alcohol for consumption on the premises, including pubs and night clubs. In addition, where necessary and appropriate, conditions may be attached to premises licences or club premises certificates which prohibit or restrict the entry of children.
	We estimate that there are around 190,000 premises licensed under the 2003 Act but information is not held centrally on how many have conditions attached to their licence which restrict entry to children. As 'licensed' premises include pubs, nightclubs, hotels, cinemas, theatres, restaurants and late night takeaways, it is likely that the vast majority serve food, including bar snacks.

Licensing Act

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many establishments she estimates are trading without a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in each London borough; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: This information is not held centrally. My Department has received no reports from the police or licensing authorities about establishments in London carrying on a business without an appropriate licence.

Licensing Act

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the local authorities that have (a) made representations to her Department for additional resources and (b) been allocated additional resources to take on the functions under the Licensing Act 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Costs incurred by local authorities in meeting their requirements under the Licensing Act 2003 will, provided that they have been incurred legitimately and efficiently, be fully met by fees within the national fee regime. No additional resources should therefore be necessary.
	In the context of Sir Les Elton's independent panel, which is currently reviewing fee levels to ensure that the fees have been set at the right level, representations by local authorities are co-ordinated through the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), and are not generally attributable to particular local authorities.

Licensing Act

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list local authorities that have outstanding licence applications under the Licensing Act 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Data on these are not held centrally. There are always likely to be some licence applications outstanding, because the licensing process under the 2003 Act is a continuous one, as people create new businesses and services, or seek changes in the use of premises, and so on.

London Olympics

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who will own the (a) land and (b) properties on the land acquired by the London Development Agency following the London 2012 Olympics; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The owner of the land will depend on the decision taken by the Secretary of State about whether to confirm the London Development Agency's (LDA) Lower Lea, Olympic and Legacy Compulsory Purchase Order (expected in 2006).
	If it is confirmed, the LDA as the acquiring authority would have legal title vested in the land required within the Olympic Parkboth prior to and after the Games in 2012. It is proposed that it will then enter into agreements to make available land/properties to identified development partners or managing organisations to deliver the regeneration and sporting legacy identified for this area and proposed in the compulsory purchase order.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport can provide accurate records for the last four financial years, including this year to the present date.
	
		
			 Financial year  
		
		
			 200203 121,673.22 
			 200304 124,284.18 
			 200405 120,668.96 
			 2005-todate 107,322.67

National Lottery Grants

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost is of administering national lottery grants to good causes per pound of grant disbursed.

Richard Caborn: On the basis of information provided by distributors, during financial year 200405 the amount paid in administration was just over 10 pence per pound of Lottery grant paid to successful applicants.

Primary School Children (Activities)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what activities are sponsored by her Department for primary school children during their summer holidays.

David Lammy: My Department supports a number of activities funded across government, our public bodies and by the Big Lottery Fund which deliver a range of sporting and cultural opportunities for children and young people throughout the year.
	The DCMS website, Breakout, provides information and ideas to families on a range of sports, arts and cultural activities, and can be found at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/breakout/fl/index.htm

Public Service Agreement

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how her Department plans to assess progress towards its public service agreement performance target 2 prior to the next spending review; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The public service agreement (PSA) to halt the year-on-year rise in obesity among children under 11, in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole, is the joint responsibility of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, and the Secretary of State for Health.
	Joint cross-departmental programme management arrangements have been established to drive action to meet this target. Progress against the target will be measured through the Health Survey for England. The baseline will be established for the years 200204. The 2005 Health Survey data will be available late 2006/early 2007. We shall assess progress at that point.

Public Service Agreement

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect of the change to the definition of attendance in her Department's 2005 to 2008 public service agreement: technical note on her Department's public service agreement performance target to increase the number of people (a) from black and minority ethnic groups, (b) with a physical or mental disability and (c) in socio-economic groups C2, D and E who attended arts events at least twice a year by 3 per cent.; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Measurement of the arts public service agreement target for 200508 will look to establish whether individuals from the three priority groups have attended two different types of arts event in the previous 12 months. The previous measurement counted individuals who had attended two or more events, which could be of the same type, resulting in generally higher percentages.
	The Department has commissioned, together with Arts Council England and other sponsored bodies, a national Taking Part Survey which will measure attendance and participation at quarterly intervals, with baseline figures being produced in summer 2006.
	The Government remain committed to widening access by under-represented groups to the arts.

School Sport Partnership Scheme

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of school children in England have spent a minimum of two hours each week on high quality physical education and school sport within and beyond the curriculum in schools outside the School Sport Partnership scheme in each year since 2002; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is not held.
	The annual PE, School Sport and Club Links survey only collects data from schools that are within a School Sport Partnership. However all maintained schools will be within a partnership from 2006 and the national survey, already the largest survey of PE and school sport in Europe, will include all schools from that point on.
	The 200405 survey, in which over 54 per cent. of schools in England who were at that time within a School Sport Partnership participated, showed that 69 per cent. of pupils were taking part in two hours or more of high quality PE and school sport each week.

Sports Activity

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the baseline is by which her Department's measures to increase the number of people from priority groups (a) who participate in active sports at least 12 times a year by 3 per cent., (b) who engage in at least 30 minutes moderate intensity level sport at least three times a week by 3 per cent., (c) who participate in an arts activity at least twice a year by 2 per cent., (d) who attend arts events at least twice a year by 3 per cent., (e) accessing museums and galleries collections by 2 per cent. and (f) visiting designated historic environment sites by 3 per cent. will be measured; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Final baselines for public service agreement target 3 (PSA3) will be available in late 2006.
	Provisional baseline estimates for PSA3 were published on 15 December 2005. Copies of the report can be found at www.culture.gov.uk/global/research/taking_part_survey/survey_outputs.

Swimming Pools

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many calls have been made to the hotline set up to deal with parents' questions about swimming pool admissions policy.

Richard Caborn: The primary purpose of the hotline is to provide a point of contact for parents who wish to make a complaint about being denied access to a specific pool as a result of a child admissions policy. Since it went live on 8 September 2005, the hotline has received nine telephone calls, all of which have been to request general information about local swimming facilities. The hotline has also received 14 e-mails which have ranged from specific complaints about an admissions policy at an individual pool to more general concerns about admissions policies per se.

Swimming Pools

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pools have altered their admission policy on parental supervision of children since her meeting on the subject earlier in 2005.

Richard Caborn: Data have not been collated on the numbers of pools where an admissions policy has altered since my meeting on this subject in 2005. Information on admissions policies at individual poolsin England is available through Sport England's Active Places website (www.ActivePlaces.com). The Amateur Swimming Association has also compiled a comprehensive list of swimming pools through which similar information can be found. Both databases are maintained regularly.
	It is for individual pool operators to determine appropriate measures to mitigate risks at their pools identified through a risk assessment. The Health and Safety Executive advocates that, as part of this process, pool operators should consider the number of children which can safely be accompanied by a single adult. Risk mitigation measures should be kept under review to ensure that they remain appropriate. It is also sensible for pool operators to take account of the guidance available in this area.

Swimming Pools

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of the situation regarding parental supervision of children in swimming pools; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: On 8 September 2005 my Department, after consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and other relevant bodies, implemented an action plan to address the issue of apparent blanket applications of admissions policies at swimming pools. I am confident that the plan will encourage proper flexibility in the implementation of pool safety and risk management measures.

Television/Radio

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the estimated number of (a) televisions and (b) radios in use in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) each of the English regions and (iv)Northern Ireland is.

Richard Caborn: The number of televisions in use by ITV region (the only format in which we possess this information) is:
	
		
			  Number of television sets 
		
		
			 London 11 million 
			 Midlands 9.1 million 
			 North West 6 million 
			 Yorkshire 5.5 million 
			 Central Scotland 3.2 million 
			 North Scotland 1.2 million 
			 South and South East and Channel Islands 5.4 million 
			 North East 2.8 million 
			 East 4.3 million 
			 South West 1.8 million 
			 Ulster 1.1 million 
			 Border 636,000 
			 West 2.4 million 
			 Wales 2.4 million 
		
	
	Note:
	Border ITV covers communities on both sides of the England/Scotland border.
	Source:
	BARB Establishment survey June 2004.
	The approximate number of radio sets (including analogue and digital) in the nations of the UK are:
	
		Million
		
			  Number of radio sets 
		
		
			 Scotland 13 
			 England 120 
			 Wales 7.6 
			 Ulster 4.3 
		
	
	Source:
	RAJAR

WORK AND PENSIONS

Norcross (Job Losses)

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has in place to deal with potential job losses at the Department's site in Norcross.

Anne McGuire: The significant investment made to modernise the Department's IT systems and transform the way it delivers services more efficiently means that fewer staff will be required to deliver high quality services in the future. These efficiencies are being made across the country and in all of the Department's businesses.
	We are managing the reduction in staffing through normal staff turnover, controlling recruitment and promotions, and re-deploying staff to fill vacancies. In addition we are running a limited number of voluntary early release/early retirement schemes. There has not been a single compulsory redundancy at the Norcross site and we will continue to do everything possible to avoid the need for redundancies in the future.

Child Support Agency

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the process used by the Child Support Agency for the assessment of cases.

James Plaskitt: Under the new scheme, non-resident parent's net weekly income is used to determine how much child maintenance they have to pay. Normally maintenance is then calculated with 15 per cent. for one child; 20 per cent. for two children; and 25 per cent. for three children or more. But there are special provisions, for example, parents on benefits or low income.

Child Support Agency

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress with the reform of the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: There's good progress. The chief executive Stephen Geraghty has been undertaking a review of all aspects of the agency's operation. Ministers are considering his report and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make an announcement to the House shortly.

Child Support Agency

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when all Child Support Agency cases will be calculated under the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: The Secretary of State will make an announcement on Child Support shortly.

Child Support Agency

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints have been received by the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997; how many went forward for adjudication; and how many have been (a) fully and (b) partially upheld.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints have been received by the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997; how many went forward for adjudication; and how many have been (a) full and (b) partially upheld.
	I have provided tables below to show the number of complaints received by the Agency by clients, and by other bodies, for which information is available. It should be noted that it is difficult to use this information to make meaningful comparisons over time due to changes in the way that information has been recorded. In particular, whilst the volume of Stage 1 complaints undoubtedly rose between 2002/3 and 2003/4, this is likely to have been due in part to more rigorous recording of complaints received at the time, and the introduction by the Agency of a three tier complaints process during 2003/04.
	The three tier complaints process comprises of; Stage 1 complaints from clients which are dealt with by the Complaints Resolution Team located within each of the Agency's six business units. Stage 2 complaints which are an escalation to the relevant Area Director when the client is not satisfied with the outcome of stage 1, and stage 3 which is an escalation to the Chief Executive if the client remains dissatisfied.
	Complaints are also received into the Agency from MPs, or via MPs from a member of the public.
	The outcome of whether a complaint to the Agency is upheld is not recorded. However, as described above, clients are signposted to the next level of the process should they remain dissatisfied. The table below shows the volume of cases escalated to stages two and three, for which information is available. Once these internal avenues have been exhausted, the client may wish to contact the Independent Case Examiner (ICE), their MP or, via their MP, to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.
	
		Agency complaintsnumber of cases received in the agency 1997 to 2005
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Stage 1 complaints received (written) 27,875 28,073 21,015 19,634 15,493 15,182 24,809 29,213 
			 Stage 1 Complaints received (telephone) (10) (10) (10) (10) (10) (11) 7,458 10,570 
			 Chief Executive Complaints (12) (12) (12) 4,096 4,555 7,804 (13) (14) 
			 Treat Official Complaints (12)(5508580013) (12)(5508580013) (12)(5508580013) 2,609 2,869 1,344 1,521 1,108 
			 MP Complaints to Business Units (12) (12) (12) 4,175 4,818 4,537 5,317 8,871 
		
	
	
		Stage 1: Complaints escalated to stages 2 and 3. Between June 2004 and March 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Stage 1 complaints 32,898 
			 Complaints escalated to stage 2 4,352 
			 Complaints escalated to stage 3 2,549 
		
	
	(10)While the agency did receive stage 1 telephone complaints prior to 200203, their volumes were not recorded, thus preventing meaningful comparison with later years.
	(11)Although 671 stage 1 telephone complaints were recorded between December 2002 and March 2003, their volumes were not recorded throughout the whole year, thus preventing meaningful comparison with later years.
	(12)While the agency did receive complaints directly to the chief executive, treat official complaints, and MP complaints to business units prior to 200001, their volumes were not recorded, thus preventing meaningful comparison with later years.
	(13)During 200304 complaints sent directly to the chief executive were not recorded separately from those complaints, which were escalated to him as part of the 3 stage process. Therefore, although 7,183 complaints in total were received during 200304, it is not possible to separate out those complaints received by the chief executive directly (as opposed to those escalated via the complaints process), thus preventing meaningful comparison with data for earlier years.
	(14)In April and May of 2004, the chief executive received a total of 1,435 complaints but is not possible to separate out those complaints received by the chief executive directly, as opposed to those escalated to stage 3 of the complaints process). From June 2004-March 2005, after which time such complaints were recorded separately, the chief executive received 4,352 direct complaints and 2,549 complaints escalated upwards from stage 2. Again, these recording issues prevent meaningful comparison of this category with earlier years.
	(15)Treat official letters are those received by a Minister from a member of the public, and referred for initial consideration to an official of the agency.
	I hope you find this answer useful.

Child Support Agency

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what monitoring he is undertaking of progress in eliminating the faults in the Child Support Agency computer system.

Stephen Timms: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what monitoring he is undertaking of progress in eliminating the faults in the Child Support Agency computer system.
	The new Child Support computer system (CS2) is now more stable technically and performance has improved to the point where service levels are generally being met. A number of defects do remain but EDS has agreed to resolve these as a part of an agreed forward programme of enhancement.
	EDS is required to report progress against its plans and maintain, jointly with the Department, records of IT items and fixes delivered. In addition, the Department has in place governance arrangements, including assessment against acceptance criteria, designed to achieve satisfactory delivery of all system improvements.
	Finally, the Department's staff continue to monitor performance of the live CS2 service against agreed service levels.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance have received Child Support Agency maintenance in each reporting period since 19992000;
	(2)  what proportion of parents with care on income support and income based jobseeker's allowance have received maintenance for their children in each year since 199596; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2005
	In reply to your recent parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions what proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance have received Child support Agency maintenance in each reporting period since 19992000.
	In addition, you asked the Secretary of State what proportion of parents with care on income support and income based jobseeker's allowance have received maintenance for their children in each year since 199596; and if he will make a statement.
	The available information is detailed in the attached table.
	I hope you find this helpful.
	
		Proportion of parents with care on income support and income based jobseeker's allowance receiving maintenance between November 1997 and May 2005
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 November 1997 28 
			 February 1998 27 
			 May 1998 27 
			 August 1998 26 
			 November 1998 26 
			 February 1999 26 
			 May 1999 26 
			 August 1999 26 
			 November 1999 26 
			 February 2000 25 
			 May 2000 25 
			 August 2000 25 
			 November 2000 25 
			 February 2001 24 
			 May 2001 25 
			 August 2001 25 
			 November 2001 24 
			 February 2002 24 
			 May 2002 24 
			 August 2002 24 
			 November 2002 24 
			 February 2003 25 
			 May 2003  
			 August 2003  
			 November 2003  
			 February 2004 23 
			 May 2004 23 
			 August 2004 23 
			 November 2004 24 
			 February 2005 24 
			 May 2005 25 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number.
	2.The percentages are calculated by combing information from the CSA administrative system with that from the benefits system to get current benefit status. Information from the latter system does not exist prior to 1997.
	3.We cannot provide information for 200304. This is due to limitations with the new system (CS2), which mean we do not currently hold information for new scheme cases and old scheme cases on CS2 for that period. This is an issue we are working to address and are hopeful that we will be able to provide this information in the near future.
	4.The methodology used to produce these statistics is consistent with that used in the measurement of the Department's Public Service Agreement target in this area. Namely, all those cases with a child maintenance calculation or assessment where the parent with care is on income support or income based job seekers allowance (including those with a nil liability) who are in receipt of maintenance.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library the latest list of change requests made to EDS by the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will place in the Library the latest list of change requests made to EDS by the Child Support Agency.
	A list of change requests was placed in the House Library on the 17 of November 2004. A list of subsequent requests is at Annex A and will also be placed in the House Library.
	I hope you find this information useful.
	
		Annex A: List of further changes agreed by the Child Support Agency and EDS
		
			 Description Benefits 
		
		
			 To enable the number of concurrent users of the Training System to remain at 700. Maintain current capacity to train caseworkers on how to process cases on CS2. 
			 The automatic deletion of superseded debt management work items. Debt management work items are generated in caseworkers' work queues to prompt the investigation of late or unexpected payments. However, a subsequent event on the case can remove the need for such an investigation. This new functionality will remove any debt management work items that are no longer relevant for investigation. Improved workload management for caseworkers. Removal of unnecessary work. 
			 The provision of several standard reports directly from CS2 audit trail data.  These reports will list, for checking and monitoring purposes, caseworkers that have completed activity on CS2 that has been pre-defined as a potential data security risk. Compliance with Departmental Audit and Security Standards. 
			 To capture and record an audit trail of caseworkers' access to, and changes of, key data on CS2 client records. Compliance with Departmental Audit and Security Standards. 
			 The provision of a facility to allow specified users to make enquires of the recorded audit trail data, to support the completion of management and security checks on caseworker access to, and processing of, client records. Compliance with Departmental Audit and Security Standards. 
			 To provide an automated facility within CS2 to allow staff to record additional information provided by clients in note form, that will prove useful during subsequent contacts with the client. Removes the need for recording and holding information clerically and supports improved service to clients as caseworkers will have a greater understanding of previous case activity. 
			 The automatic retrieval of Benefit Office details and Post Office details using office identity codes. Staff have to record Benefit Office details on cases where clients are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Income Support to enable the correct electronic exchange of information. Post Office details are recorded to support the processing of payments. Reduced resources required to correct transaction failures across the automated interface between the Child Support Agency and Jobcentre Plus, reduced delay in the start of deductions from benefit and improved levels of compliance. 
			 The provision of functionality to support the bulk conversion of cases from old scheme to new scheme from more than one maintenance assessment effective date. Greater flexibility in the automatic processing available to support the bulk conversion of cases. (Note: bulk conversion is not yet scheduled). 
			 The provision of automatic selection functionality within the bulk conversion process to identify cases based on their initial effective date. More efficient selection of cases for conversion from old scheme rules to new scheme rules. (Note: Bulk conversion is not yet scheduled). 
			 To provide the ability to correct the effective date from which a case is converted from old scheme to new scheme. Improved accuracy in the bulk conversion of cases from old scheme rules to new scheme rules. (Note: Bulk conversion is not yet scheduled). 
			 Notifications issued to clients to advise them that their assessment is to convert to new rules, to be amended to include an explanation of why their case has been selected for bulk conversion. Improved client service and a reduction in the volume of contact received from clients during bulk conversion from old scheme to new scheme. (Note: Bulk conversion is not yet scheduled). 
			 To provide, as a prototype, additional functionality for staff to enquire on the progress of a case and view summary financial records. Staff have to perform these enquiries to answer frequent client queries on the progress of their case or payment. The ability to test new functionality in a pilot study within one Business Unit to determine whether business benefits could be realised by the provision of this additional enquiry functionality.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of parents who are waiting for their Child Support Agency cases to be transferred from the old to the new scheme will pay (a) increased and (b) decreased payments under the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: For those cases with a Full Maintenance Assessment on the Child Support Computer System (CSCS) in May 2005, we estimate that around (a) 60 per cent. would have an increased liability and (b) 40 per cent. would have a decreased liability if the new scheme rules were applied to their current reported circumstances.
	We estimate that the majority of changes in maintenance liabilities will be for less than 10 per week. To give non-resident parents and parents with care time to adjust to their new amount, most changes are phased in by fixed annual steps.
	Source
	Child Support Computer System 5 per cent. extract, May 2005.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in respect of how many children are payments being made through the Child Support Agency's (a) new scheme and (b) old scheme.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 24 November 2005
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in respect of how many children are payments being made through the Child Support Agency's (a) new scheme and (b) old scheme.
	In September 2005, payment of maintenance was received from the non-resident parent via the Agency's collection service, or a maintenance direct arrangement was in place, in respect of 529,000 children, (of which 365,000 were on the old scheme, and 164,000 on the new scheme).
	These figures (which are rounded to the nearest thousand) can be further broken down as follows:
	Payment of maintenance had been received from the non-resident parent via the Agency's collection service in respect of 391,000 children, of which 127,000 were on the new scheme and 264,000 on the old scheme.
	Maintenance-direct arrangements were in place in respect of 138,000 children (101,000 on the old and 37,000 on the new scheme). However, it is not possible to say whether or not payment was forthcoming in these cases as, once the arrangement has been set up, the parent with care and non-resident parent deal with each other direct.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support Agency

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of assessed Child Support Agency claims in Scotland had maintenance collected via deduction of earnings orders in each quarter since 1994.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of assessed Child Support Agency claims in Scotland had maintenance collected via deduction of earnings orders in each quarter since 1994.
	Such information as is available is presented in the attached table. I am sorry that I cannot provide disaggregated information for Scotland for the period prior to May 1997, or post February 2003.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in respect of how many (a) new scheme, new computer, (b) old scheme, new computer, (c) old scheme, old computer and (d) backlogged child support cases the Child Support Agency has no record of the address of the non-resident parent.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 2 December 2005
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) new scheme new computer (b) old scheme new computer (c) old scheme old computer and (d) backlogged child support cases does the Child Support Agency have no record of the address of the non-resident parent.
	We are not able to give statistics for the number of non resident parents for which the Agency does not hold address information due to limitations with currently available management information.
	What I can tell you is that, at the end of September 2005, there were 35,000 cases on the old scheme old computer system that were suspended because the NRP could not be traced. In addition, there were 14,000 old scheme cases that required trace action by CSA staff. Equivalent statistics are not currently available for new and old scheme cases on the new computer system.
	I hope you find this information useful.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has received a report from the chief executive of the Child Support Agency (CSA) with recommendations for the reform of the CSA; and what plans he has to make an oral statement to the House on this matter.

James Plaskitt: Stephen Geraghty is undertaking a root and branch review of the Child Support Agency (CSA). Since his arrival at the Department for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been considering the emerging findings and recommendations. He will make an announcement to the House in due course.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for how long the Child Support Agency plans to continue collecting maintenance from the constituent of the right hon. Member for Birkenhead, case number 327000131454.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive, as Stephen Geraghty is on leave Iam replying on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for how long the Child Support Agency plans to continue collecting maintenance from the constituent of the hon. Member for Birkenhead case number 327000131454.
	As details about individual cases are confidential I have written to you separately about this case.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time was between the Child Support Agency notifying the Job Centreplus to deduct the five pound flat rate in maintenance from a non-resident parent's benefit and the maintenance deduction being made in the last period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: I will let the hon. Member have such information as is available as soon as possible.

National Pension Savings Scheme

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of employer contributions to the national pension savings scheme, as proposed by the Turner Commission, on his Department's target of achieving an employment rate of 80 per cent. of the working-age population.

Stephen Timms: We are in the process of examining the recommendations made by the commission in detail. At this stage, nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out. One of the commission's recommendations, to which we will be giving careful consideration, is the introduction of mandatory employer contributions. In looking at this option we will of course take account of possible impacts on business and on the labour market.

Women's Pensions

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proposals are being considered to improve the pension provision available for married women who choose to stay at home to bring up their children.

Stephen Timms: Women's pension provision is steadily improving through increased labour market participation, home responsibilities protection and the state second pension. The Government are considering how to extend pension coverage further and enable women with caring responsibilities to build up better pension entitlement. Our proposals for reform which we intend to publish in the spring, will be guided by the principle that the pension system should deliver fair outcomes for women and carers. A campaign to encourage carers to apply for home responsibility protection is being launched today.

Housing Benefit

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to improve the administration of housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: In 2002, we put in place a comprehensive strategy for reform of housing benefit, with the first priority being to improve administration across the board.
	We have already made significant progress. The average time taken by local authorities to process new claims has shortened by two weeks. We have introduced a number of simplification measures to reduce complexity in the housing benefit rules. We have provided investment, to help authorities make improvements in the administration of housing benefit. We have reduced the losses due to fraud and error. We are piloting the new Local Housing Allowance in 18 local authorities, with a view to national implementation.

Housing Benefit

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions his Department has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the ending of the single room rent restriction for housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: We have had no recent discussions with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister specifically regarding the ending of the Single Room Rent restriction.
	We are currently planning the way forward for HB reforms in the private sector and we will look at the Single Room Rent as a part of this process. Indeed we are piloting a more generous scheme in those areas running the new Local Housing Allowance.
	However, the core rationale for the Single Room Rent, that of encouraging work, remains. Removing all Single Room Rent restrictions would in fact have the perverse effect of creating a situation where greater benefit dependency would be fostered at an early age.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 372W, on housing benefit, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of limiting a 10 per cent. reduction in the housing benefit taper to earned income and (b) the cost of limiting a five per cent. reduction in the council tax benefit taper to earned income.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 21 November 2005
	There would be no cost to local authorities for paying additional benefit as this would be met by the Department. The only impact to local authorities would be associated with the processing and maintenance of additional new claims; the numbers of which are in the table. The Department does not collect management information relating to the cost to authorities of processing and maintaining claims.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		Cost associated with reducing housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB) tapers
		
			  Number of new beneficiaries floating on Number of existing beneficiaries gaining Cost in annually managed expenditure ( million per year) 
		
		
			 Reducing the HB taper from 65% to 55% for earned income 105,000 305,000 150 
			 Reducing the CTB taper from 20% to 15% for earned income 255,000 290,000 75 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.All figures are for Great Britain.
	2.Beneficiaries are rounded to the nearest 5,000 and costs are rounded to the nearest 5 million.
	3.Each beneficiary represents a benefit unit, which can be a single claimant or a couple.
	4.Earned income consists of income from earnings only, and excludes occupational pensions. For a couple, their earned income is their combined earnings.
	5.The impact is estimated using the Department's Policy Simulation Model for 200506, using data from the 200304 Family Resources Survey up-rated to 200506 prices, benefit rates and earnings levels, and is calibrated to latest published forecasts and policies.
	6.Results are subject to sampling and reporting errors and estimation assumptions, and are therefore indicative only. No behavioural changes are assumed.

Housing Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to publish details of his plans to pilot the local housing allowance in the social rented sector; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: In order for housing benefit to keep pace with our wider welfare reforms we are considering options for reforming housing benefit for tenants in the social rented sector. However, we appreciate that conditions for social tenants are very different from those in the private sector, for example, social sector tenants don't always have the same degree of choice as those in the private sector. Such differences will need to be taken very seriously in developing proposals for reform, which we will do in discussion with experts on social housing.

Housing Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of ending the direct payment of housing benefit to registered social landlords on their financial viability.

James Plaskitt: While we want to create a situation where people become responsible for paying their own rent where they are able to do so, we recognise that this is a significant issue for social landlords and lenders. Departmental officials regularly meet with representatives of social landlords and will ensure that their concerns are taken very seriously when developing proposals for reforming housing benefit.

Housing Benefit

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many tenants in (a) England, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Birmingham received housing benefit in each of the past eight years; what percentage in each year rented from (i) a local authority, (ii) a registered social landlord, (iii) a private landlord and (iv) an employer; and what the average housing benefit payment was in each category.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available for tenancies where the landlord is the tenant's employer. The available information is in the following tables.
	
		Housing benefit caseload by tenure as percentage of total caseload: England
		
			   Percentage of total 
			 May Total (000) Local authority Registered social landlord Private (excluding RSL) 
		
		
			 1997 3,870.8 57.9 17.6 24.4 
			 1998 3,725.5 57.3 19.6 23.1 
			 1999 3,585.4 56.0 21.8 22.2 
			 2000 3,341.7 54.2 24.4 21.4 
			 2001 3,207.4 52.5 27.3 20.2 
			 2002 3,159.9 50.9 29.4 19.8 
			 2003 3,161.3 47.2 33.1 19.7 
			 2004 3,232.6 45.4 34.5 20.1 
			 2005 3,314.9 43.9 35.2 20.9 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit caseload by tenure as percentage of total caseload: West Midlands
		
			   Percentage of total 
			 May Total (000) Local authority Registered social landlord Private (excluding RSL) 
		
		
			 1997 413.4 65.6 18.5 16.0 
			 1998 402.8 64.9 19.4 15.8 
			 1999 388.6 62.1 22.4 15.5 
			 2000 364.5 59.1 25.7 15.2 
			 2001 351.7 53.9 31.4 14.7 
			 2002 349.1 52.0 33.1 14.9 
			 2003 349.9 47.0 37.9 15.1 
			 2004 347.0 44.1 40.4 15.5 
			 2005 352.2 43.1 40.1 16.8 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit caseload by tenure as percentage of total caseload: Birmingham
		
			   Percentage of total 
			 May Total (000) Local authority Registered social landlord Private (excluding RSL) 
		
		
			 1997 110.8 63.8 20.5 15.7 
			 1998 109.5 63.0 21.2 15.9 
			 1999 104.5 62.3 22.1 15.6 
			 2000 91.7 61.2 24.0 14.8 
			 2001 90.8 60.6 25.4 14.0 
			 2002 92.4 58.9 26.7 14.3 
			 2003 89.5 58.2 27.4 14.4 
			 2004 88.7 56.8 27.7 15.5 
			 2005 88.5 54.9 28.1 17.0 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit caseload and tenure by average amount in payment: England --  per week
		
			 May Total Local authority Registered social landlord Private (excluding RSL) 
		
		
			 1997 44.82 37.15 50.31 59.07 
			 1998 45.90 37.97 52.63 59.89 
			 1999 47.90 40.04 54.64 61.11 
			 2000 50.00 42.34 55.88 62.69 
			 2001 52.97 45.38 58.18 65.65 
			 2002 56.60 47.73 62.87 70.07 
			 2003 57.99 49.90 60.41 73.32 
			 2004 61.99 53.95 63.09 78.29 
			 2005 65.79 56.98 65.92 84.11 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit caseload and tenure by average amount in payment: West Midlands --  per week
		
			 May Total Local authority Registered social landlord Private (excluding RSL) 
		
		
			 1997 39.30 34.81 45.46 50.61 
			 1998 40.40 35.34 47.50 52.46 
			 1999 42.38 36.99 49.15 54.21 
			 2000 44.08 38.89 48.98 55.92 
			 2001 46.52 41.33 49.72 58.73 
			 2002 49.43 43.44 52.77 62.97 
			 2003 50.08 44.35 52.02 63.10 
			 2004 52.99 47.23 54.12 66.41 
			 2005 55.67 48.99 56.65 70.44 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit caseload and tenure by average amount in payment: Birmingham --  per week
		
			 May Total Local authority Registered social landlord Private (excluding RSL) 
		
		
			 1997 42.95 37.75 49.55 55.49 
			 1998 43.86 37.71 52.03 57.40 
			 1999 46.16 39.98 53.89 59.87 
			 2000 47.05 40.82 54.59 60.56 
			 2001 48.13 41.97 55.55 61.36 
			 2002 51.87 44.90 60.02 65.31 
			 2003 51.47 45.09 58.27 64.32 
			 2004 54.91 48.18 61.08 68.56 
			 2005 58.60 51.55 63.49 73.26 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Caseloads are rounded to the nearest hundred and shown in thousands.
	2.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3.Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4.Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	5.Average amounts are rounded to the nearest penny.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken between May 1997 and May 2005.

Housing Benefit

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to restrict the direct payment of housing benefit to landlords whose tenants commit antisocial behaviour.

James Plaskitt: As with the wider community, landlords have a responsibility to ensure that, in carrying out their business, they minimise the scope for antisocial behaviour by their tenants.Most landlords take this responsibility seriously and the Government have in the past considered what action can be taken against those few landlords who do not.
	We have looked at the option of removing entitlement to direct payments from recalcitrant landlords, but have concluded that this would not be an effective measure.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1256W, on housing benefit, when he expects to make a decision on the recommendation in his Department's research report No. 243 that all disabled claimants and all care leavers should be made exempt from the single room rent restriction.

James Plaskitt: We will continue to review the single room rent and local housing allowance shared room rate as we move forward with wider welfare reform, to ensure that young people can access appropriate accommodation. However, the core rationale for the single room rent, that of encouraging work, remains.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the oral statement of 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 271WH, on housing benefit pathfinders, what the source was for the figure he gave of 60 per cent. of those who rent in the private sector who are not in receipt of housing benefit rent sharing accommodation.

James Plaskitt: The source of this figure is the Department's analysis of the 200203 Family Resources Survey.

Housing Benefit

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will assess the merits of removing the 16-hour housing benefit rule to enable young adults in housing need to study full-time for qualifications at level 3 or below without loss of housing benefit;
	(2)  what research he has carried out on the impact of the 16-hour housing benefit rule on those in housing need who are unable to claim housing benefit if they are studying for more than 16 hours per week.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 176263W to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws).

Housing Benefit

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Government are planning to remove the single room rent upper limit on housing benefit provisions for those under 25 years.

James Plaskitt: We have no such plans, although we will continue to look at the single room rent as part of the process of wider housing benefit reform.

Pensions Commission

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the second report of the Pensions Commission.

Stephen Timms: The Government have welcomed the Pensions Commission's second report, and welcomed its proposals and options as the right basis for building the consensus that we need.
	The Government will now reflect on the report and are committed to consulting with the public and stakeholders on these key issues as part of the National Pensions Debate. At this stage of the debate no decisions have been taken on the specific recommendations of the report, and we are ruling nothing in and nothing out. The Government will work towards the publication of a White Paper in the spring which will set out their response.

Departmental Retirements

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average age of retirement for employees of his Department was in the last period for which figures are available.

Anne McGuire: The average retirement age in the year to October 2005 is 62.
	Where people have left the Department in an early retirement exercise the average age is 55.
	Where people have been retired on grounds of ill health the average age is 47.

Basic State Pension

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the change in the basic state pension will be between 200506 and 200607.

Stephen Timms: From April 2006 the rate of the basic state pension will increase by 2.7 per cent. in line with the growth in the Retail Prices Index. This means the weekly rate for a full basic state pension will rise from 82.05 a week to 84.25 a week.

Basic State Pension

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much more the basic state pension will be worth in 200607 than in 200506.

Stephen Timms: The basic state pension will be increased next April by 2.7 per cent. in line with the Retail Prices Index.

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions what administrative savings have been made by his Department in each of the last eight years.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment including the Employment Service.
	Information is published on gross and net controlled administration cost under spends in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Papers. These are available in the Library of the House.
	As part of the 2004 Spending Review the Department is required to achieve efficiency gains of at least 960 million by 200708 as set out in the Efficiency Technical Note which is available on the Department's website.

Benefit Claimants (Forest of Dean)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Forest of Dean constituency are receiving (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) incapacity benefit.

James Plaskitt: As at October 2005, there were 706 people claiming jobseeker's allowance in the Forest of Dean parliamentary constituency.
	As at May 2005, there were 3,300 people claiming incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance in the Forest of Dean parliamentary constituency.
	Both figures are the most recent available.

Benefit Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether it is the policy of his Department to transfer to direct payment the benefits of claimants paid by cheque if they fail to express their desire to continue receiving payment by cheque in response to correspondence from his Department;
	(2)  what length of time his Department allows for people to respond who have been written to by his Department advising them that benefits paid to them by cheque will be transferred to direct payment unless they state a preference to continue being paid by cheque;
	(3)  whether letters being sent to claimants who have one or more benefits paid by cheque and another paid into a bank account about their wish to continue receiving payment by cheque are being made available in formats accessible to those who cannot read standard print.

James Plaskitt: Cheque payments were designed for those people who cannot open or operate any sort of bank or building society account.
	Around 100,000 customers had one benefit paid by cheque and another into an account. We have been writing to these customers to tell them that we plan to start paying all their benefits into their account unless they let us know that they want to carry on being paid by cheque. Customers are normally asked to contact us within 14 days of the letter being sent if they want to continue to be paid by cheque.
	Customers receiving disability living allowance or attendance allowance by cheque were advised that the way we pay benefits is changing and that we would now pay into the account into which their other benefit(s) were already being paid. A specified period to contact us was not included.
	We are not able to automatically identify all those customers who may have trouble reading standard print at the time we send out the initial letters. If they contact us we can then send them a letter in larger print or in Braille.

Benefit Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average number of days was from first contact by a new jobseeker's allowance claimant to first payment for claims administered by (a) the Benefits Agency and (b) Jobcentre Plus in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 6 December 2005
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what the average number of days was from first contact by a new Jobseeker's Allowance claimant to the first payment for claims administered by (a) the Benefits Agency and (b) Jobcentre Plus in each of the last five years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus came into existence in 2002. Prior to that, claims were processed by the Benefits Agency. The processing of claims to Jobseeker's Allowance has undergone considerable change since 2000, with much more emphasis being given to providing a package of support aimed at helping the customer to find work. For example, the introduction of Work Focused Interviews, although adding an extra stage to the claim process, has facilitated a pro-active rather than a passive approach to the search for work.
	The information is in the table.
	
		
			 Calendar year Actual average clearance time (days) 
		
		
			 2000 9.1 
			 2001 9.6 
			 2002 10.2 
			 2003 10.8 
			 2004 12.0 
			 2005 (up to October) 13.4 
		
	
	The Actual Average Clearance Time for Jobseeker's Allowance is measured from the date the customer first contacts Jobcentre Plus to the date the customer is sent a notice of entitlement.
	I hope this is helpful.

Benefit Payments

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what total spending was on (a) all pensioner benefits, (b) the basic state pension, (c) minimum income guarantee and pension credit, (d) winter fuel payment, (e) disability benefits for pensioners, (f) housing benefit for pensioners, (g) council tax benefit for pensioners and (h) other benefits for pensioners (i) in cash terms, (ii) in real terms and (iii) as a percentage of gross domestic product in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the equivalent figures in (A) 2010, (B) 2020, (C) 2030, (D) 2040 and (E)2050.

Stephen Timms: The available information is in the following tables.
	
		(a) All pensioner benefit expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 45,464 54,674 5.5 
			 199899 47,505 55,683 5.5 
			 19992000 50,532 58,089 5.5 
			 200001 53,415 60,610 5.5 
			 200102 57,637 63,824 5.7 
			 200203 60,869 65,327 5.7 
			 200304 64,214 67,137 5.7 
			 200405 70,654 72,333 6.0 
			 201011 97,710 85,759 6.2 
			 202021 151,920 101,163 5.8 
			 203031 265,021 133,893 6.3 
			 204041 448,220 171,806 6.7 
			 205051 781,010 227,129 7.2 
		
	
	
		(b) Basic state pension expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 30,391 36,547 3.7 
			 199899 31,914 37,408 3.7 
			 19992000 33,378 38,369 3.6 
			 200001 33,986 38,564 3.5 
			 200102 36,565 40,490 3.6 
			 200203 38,469 41,287 3.6 
			 200304 39,828 41,641 3.6 
			 200405 41,389 42,373 3.5 
			 201011 54,339 47,693 3.4 
			 202021 81,809 54,477 3.1 
			 203031 132,914 67,150 3.2 
			 204041 197,113 75,555 2.9 
			 205051 274,409 79,802 2.5 
		
	
	
		(c) MIG/pension credit expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 3,721 4,475 0.5 
			 199899 3,566 4,180 0.4 
			 19992000 3,725 4,283 0.4 
			 200001 4,035 4,578 0.4 
			 200102 4,417 4,891 0.4 
			 200203 4,405 4,728 0.4 
			 200304 4,851 5,072 0.4 
			 200405 5,997 6,140 0.5 
			 201011 9,262 8,129 0.6 
			 202021 15,145 10,085 0.6 
			 203031 33,145 16,745 0.8 
			 204041 75,471 28,929 1.1 
			 205051 175,361 50,998 1.6 
		
	
	
		(d) Winter fuel payment expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 191 229 * 
			 199899 194 228 * 
			 19992000 759 873 0.1 
			 200001 1,749 1,985 0.2 
			 200102 1,681 1,861 0.2 
			 200203 1,705 1,830 0.2 
			 200304 1,916 2,003 0.2 
			 200405 1,954 2,000 0.2 
			 201011 2,147 1,884 0.1 
			 202021 2,024 1,348 0.1 
			 203031 2,492 1,259 0.1 
			 204041 2,807 1,076 * 
			 205051 3,013 876 * 
		
	
	
		(e) Disability benefit expenditure for pensioners, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 4,031 4,848 0.5 
			 199899 4,353 5,103 0.5 
			 19992000 4,652 5,348 0.5 
			 200001 4,965 5,634 0.5 
			 200102 5,335 5,907 0.5 
			 200203 5,598 6,008 0.5 
			 200304 6,027 6,301 0.5 
			 200405 6,418 6,571 0.5 
			 201011 9,019 7,916 0.6 
			 202021 13,874 9,238 0.5 
			 203031 23,220 11,731 0.6 
			 204041 35,826 13,732 0.5 
			 205051 51,544 14,990 0.5 
		
	
	
		(f) Housing benefit for pensioners expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 3,781 4,547 0.5 
			 199899 3,843 4,504 0.4 
			 19992000 3,931 4,518 0.4 
			 200001 4,110 4,664 0.4 
			 200102 4,380 4,850 0.4 
			 200203 4,730 5,077 0.4 
			 200304 4,475 4,679 0.4 
			 200405 4,692 4,804 0.4 
			 201011 6,194 5,437 0.4 
			 202021 9,044 6,023 0.3 
			 203031 16,186 8,177 0.4 
			 204041 29,958 11 ,483 0.4 
			 205051 58,791 17,097 0.5 
		
	
	
		(g) Council tax benefit for pensioners expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i) Cash terms (ii)Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 1,080 1,298 0.1 
			 199899 1,125 1,318 0.1 
			 19992000 1,164 1,338 0.1 
			 200001 1,230 1,395 0.1 
			 200102 1,325 1,467 0.1 
			 200203 1,420 1,524 0.1 
			 200304 1,636 1,711 0.1 
			 200405 1,818 1,861 0.2 
			 201011 2,808 2,465 0.2 
			 202021 3,648 2,429 0.1 
			 203031 6,004 3,034 0.1 
			 204041 10,595 4,061 0.2 
			 205051 20,870 6,069 0.2 
		
	
	
		(h) Other benefits for pensioners expenditure, Great Britain
		
			   million 
			  (i)Cash terms (ii) Real terms, 200506 prices (iii) Percentage of gross domestic product 
		
		
			 199798 2,270 2,730 0.3 
			 199899 2,510 2,942 0.3 
			 19992000 2,923 3,360 0.3 
			 200001 3,340 3,789 0.3 
			 200102 3,935 4,358 0.4 
			 200203 4,541 4,874 0.4 
			 200304 5,480 5,730 0.5 
			 200405 8,386 8,585 0.7 
			 201011 13,941 12,236 0.9 
			 202021 26,375 17,563 1.0 
			 203031 51,062 25,797 1.2 
			 204041 96,449 36,970 1.4 
			 205051 197,022 57,297 1.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Expenditure figures are for Great Britain.
	2.Expenditure has been rounded to the nearest million pounds.
	3.Gross domestic product percentages have been rounded to one decimal place. A percentage less than 0.1 per cent. is indicated by the symbol *.
	4.Expenditure for the basic state pension, minimum income guarantee and other benefits for pensioners include a small amount of expenditure on child dependency increases which are paid with some of these entitlements.
	5.Disability benefits for pensioners include disability living allowance, attendance allowance and severe disablement allowance.
	6.For figures up to 200405, other benefits for pensioners include additional state pension/SERPS, non-contributory retirement pension, contribution based Christmas bonus, pensions compensation board, over65's payment, over70's payment, the over 75 TV licence, widow's benefit, bereavement benefits and incapacity benefit.
	Incapacity benefit is only included until 200001 as incapacity benefit was no longer paid to people over pension age after that year, following the 1995 Reforms.
	7.For figures from 201011, other benefits for pensioners include additional state pension/SERPS, non-contributory retirement pension, contribution based Christmas bonus, non-contributory Christmas bonus and the over 75 TV licence.
	8.As per the above notes (6 and 7), the breakdown of expenditure is not on a consistent basis.
	Source:
	Expenditure and percentage of gross domestic product figures have been taken from data which underlies the 2005 pre-Budget report.

Benefits Administration Errors

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of losses due to error in the administration of benefits for each of the last eight years, broken down by the type of benefit.

James Plaskitt: The Department produces estimates for the amount overpaid through fraud and error across the benefits system. Previously published results are included in the table.
	
		Global estimate of error (official error and customer error combined)
		
			  Monetary value ( billion) 
		
		
			 From April 1997-March 1998 through to  April 2002-March 2003 1 
			 April 2003-March 2004 1.5 
		
	
	Notes:
	All figures rounded to the nearest 500 million.
	The methodology used for estimating this was changed in 200405 to improve the quality of the estimate. We have also estimated fraud and error in 200304 using this new methodology for the purposes of making comparisons. The estimates for official error for 200304 and 200405 are in the table.
	
		Global estimates of official error 200304 and 200405
		
			  Official error 200304 Official error 200405 
			   million Percentage  million Percentage 
		
		
			 Regularly reviewed 
			 Income Support 190 1.8 210 2.1 
			 Jobseeker's Allowance 100 3.8 80 3.5 
			 Pension Credit 100 2.1 130 2.2 
			 Housing Benefit(16) 150 1.3 140 1.1 
			  
			 Periodically reviewed 
			 Disability Living Allowance(17) 60 0.7 60 0.7 
			 Retirement Pension(18) 20 0.1 30 0.1 
			 Carer's Allowance 10 0.6 10 0.6 
			 Incapacity Benefit(18) 50 0.8 50 0.8 
			 Instrument of Payment fraud 
			 Interdependences(19) 10  10  
			  
			 Unreviewed 
			 Un reviewed (excluding Council Tax Benefit)(20) 100 0.9 100 0.9 
			 Council Tax Benefit(21) 40 1.3 40 1.1 
			 Total(17)(5508580018) 0.8 billion 0.8 0.9 billion 0.8 
		
	
	(16)Individual estimates have been uprated in line with 200405 expenditure and may differ from published values.
	(17)Figures expressed as percentages (percentage) give the overpayments as a percentage of the benefit paid out in the year.
	(18)The housing benefit estimates in this table include approximations for the purposes of producing an overall fraud and error figure. The estimates in the table will therefore be different from those published previously as National Statistics.
	(19)The 200405 DLA National Benefit Review identified cases where the change in customer's needs have been so gradual that it would be unreasonable to expect them to know at which point their entitlement to DLA might have changed. These cases do not result in a recoverable overpayment as we cannot quantify or define when the customer's change occurred. Because legislation requires the Secretary of State to prove that entitlement to DLA is incorrect, rather than requiring the customer to inform us that their needs have changed, cases in this subcategory are legally correct. The difference between what claimants in these cases are receiving in DLA and related premiums in other benefits and what they would receive if their benefit was reassessed is estimated to be around 0.7 billion (+/- 0.2 billion). This figure is not included in the total above, but a similar figure was included in the global fraud and error figure of 3 billion reported in the resource account for 200304.
	(20)Official error rates have been updated with estimates from the 200304 measurement exercise.
	(21)Overpayments due to knock-on effects between loss of DLA component entitlement and premiums on income-related benefits.
	(22)The estimated rate of fraud and error on unreviewed benefits, for which we have no reliable review information, has been set at 2.7 per cent. and divided equally among fraud, customer error and official error.
	Notes:
	1.Fraud and error on CTB has not been measured before and is assumed here to be equal to fraud and error rates on HB.
	2.Although quoted to the nearest 0.1 billion, there are considerable uncertainties around the total estimates (95 per cent. confidence intervals of between 0.2 billion and 0.3 billion).
	3.Individual figures may not add across to total fraud and error figures due to rounding.
	The Department publishes National Statistics reports including estimates of overpayments through official error. Estimates for income support (IS), jobseeker's allowance (JSA), pension credit and housing benefit (HB) are published every year so these are the benefits where we have most information on changes over time. These figures are presented in the tables.
	
		IS/JSA/pension credit official error over payments from National Statistics reports
		
			  IS (not including pensioners) JSA IS for pensioners/pension credit 
		
		
			 October 1997-September 1998
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.6 4.2 1.6 
			 Overpaid ( million) 130 150 60 
			 
			 April 1998-March 1999
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.6 5.6 1.3 
			 Overpaid ( million) 130 200 50 
			 
			 April 1999-March 2000
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.5 4.0 1.5 
			 Overpaid ( million) 130 130 60 
			 April 2000-March 2001
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.3 2.8 1.2 
			 Overpaid ( million) 120 80 50 
			 
			 April 2001-March 2002
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.3 3.5 0.8 
			 Overpaid ( million) 130 90 40 
			 
			 April 2002-March 2003
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.4 4.2 1.0 
			 Overpaid ( million) 140 110 50 
			 
			 April 2003-March 2004
			 Percentage of benefit overpaid 1.8 3.8 2.1 
			 Overpaid ( million) 190 100 100 
			 
			 October 2003-September 2004
			 Latest published estimates percentage of benefit overpaid 2.1 3.5 2.2 
			 Overpaid ( million) 220 80 120 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures for April 2003-March 2004 and October 2003-September 2004 in the above table have been adjusted for data quality problems found. Previous figures have not been adjusted in this way as there is not enough information available to do so. The tables therefore are not all suitable for making reliable comparisons over time but give a reference of our best estimate of these overpayment figures in each year. Confidence intervals are not provided in these tables although are typically around 2030 per cent. of the central estimates.
	
		Housing benefit (HB) official error overpayments from National Statistics reports
		
			  Percentage of benefit overpaid Overpaid ( million) 
		
		
			 April 2002-March 2003 0.9 100 
			 April 2003-March2004 1.0 100 
			 October 2003-September 2004(23) 0.9 90 
			 April 2002-March 2003 0.9  
		
	
	(23)Latest published estimates
	Notes:
	1.These figures will not include all overpayments in HB through official error. They were published in the latest National Statistics report for HB fraud and error, and only cover the 85 per cent. of HB expenditure that is within the scope of the HBR sample. In these reports, there was an extra category of error labelled non-residence error, an unknown amount of which will be due to mistakes made by officialsthese overpayments are not included in the figures in this table.
	2.The Second National Housing Benefit Accuracy Review, in 199798 gave an estimate of 60 million for official error, but was based on a different methodology, so the results are not considered comparable with more recent estimates.
	The Department also publishes one-off snapshot reviews. The most recent report covered disability living allowance (DLA) and the official error figures from these are in the table.
	
		200405 DLA official error overpayments from National Statistics report
		
			  Amount of money overpaid ( million) Percentage benefit overpaid 
		
		
			 Official error 60 0.8 
		
	
	Annual estimates of official error only are made for short-term benefit overpayments (incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance). The recent results are shown in the following table. Previous results were carried out using a different methodology and are not comparable.
	
		Short-term benefits (incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance) official error overpayments
		
			  Monetary value ( million) 
		
		
			 April 2001 to March 2002 43 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 43 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 53 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 (24)104 
		
	
	1.These estimates are subject to wide margins of error. Our best estimate of STB overpayments for 200405 includes a further amount of around 20 million due to incorrectness types not captured under methodology in earlier years.
	Annual estimates of official error only are made for long-term benefit overpayments (retirement pension, widow's benefit and bereavement benefit). The recent results are shown in the following table:
	
		Long-term benefits official error overpayments
		
			  Monetary value ( million) 
		
		
			 April 2001 to March 2002 43 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 14 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 26 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 27 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The sample for long-term benefits is a small one and excludes some types of cases. It provides reassurance that official error on these benefits is a very low proportion of expenditure, but the estimate is only a broad indicator.
	2.As a result of the wide margins of error, the changes over time are not statistically significant.

Benefits Office Closures

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care loans in (i) Vale of Clwyd constituency and (ii) Denbighshire was in (A) each of the six months prior to closure of the Rhyl Benefits Office and (B) each month since.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 5 December 2005
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question concerning the average time taken to process (a) crisis loans (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care loans in (i)Vale of Clwyd constituency and (ii) Denbighshire was in (a)each of the six months prior to closure of the Rhyl Benefits Office and (b) each month since. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus does not keep statistical information about social fund applications broken down to the Vale of Clwyd constituency or the county of Denbigshire. However, I have detailed social fund performance for our Wrexham and North Wales coast district, which covers both these areas and others.
	
		
			  Crisis loans Budgeting loans Community care grants 
			  Applications received Average clearance times (days) Applications received Average clearance times (days) Applications received. Average clearance times (days) 
		
		
			 February 2005 783 1 1,138 2.04 452 3.55 
			 March 2005 803 1 1,180 1.89 435 3.13 
			 April 2005 879 1.02 1,372 1.89 484 3.03 
			 May 2005 749 1 1,239 1.89 466 3.22 
			 June 2005 832 1 1,284 1.99 506 3.47 
			 July 2005 757 1.03 1,122 2.53 424 3.41 
			 August 2005 687 1.08 1,157 2.48 468 8.99 
			 September 2005 820 1.16 1,152 2.21 417 7.55 
			 October 2005 794 1.23 1,218 1.95 449 8.96 
		
	
	The District Manager is aware of the increase in clearance times for community care grants and is now putting measures in place to improve performance. This involves using additional help from the social fund processing team in Llanelli.
	I hope this is helpful.

Buncefield Oil Depot

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Total Oil Depot site at Buncefield, near Hemel Hempstead, was classed as a (a) tier one and (b) tier two site for the purposes of the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999.

Anne McGuire: Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd. at Buncefield is joint operated by Total UK Ltd. and Texaco Ltd. The Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd. operation is classed as a top tier site under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999.

Burslem Job Centre

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on reorganisation of (a) (i) Jobcentre Plus and (ii) social fund application services in North Staffordshire and (b) current services provided at Burslem jobcentre.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Leslie Strathie, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the reorganisation of (a) (i) Jobcentre Plus and (ii) Social Fund application services in North Staffordshire and (b) current services provided at Burslem Job Centre. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Under our reorganisation in North Staffordshire there will be four local service outlets providing the full range of face-to-face Jobcentre Plus services. In Hanley, a new building designed specifically for Jobcentre Plus delivery is scheduled for completion by May 2007. Kidsgrove Jobcentre Plus has been fully refurbished to the new Jobcentre Plus design, and work is underway to complete the refurbishment of Longton Jobcentre Plus. The final Jobcentre Plus office will be in Newcastle-under-Lyme scheduled for completion by July 2006.
	In addition there will be a centre for benefit delivery in the former Hanley Social Security Office.
	Burslem Jobcentre is scheduled to close as part of the reorganisation, but will not do so until the new Hanley building is complete. Leek Jobcentre is also being considered for closure and we are currently consulting with all local MPs, stakeholders and Trade Union with our proposed plans. We will make a formal decision early in the New Year.
	The processing work for Social Fund claims is being transferred from Newcastle-under-Lyme to Birmingham Perry Barr, as part of a wider centralisation of this work for the West Midlands Region. Crisis Loan applications will continue to be made by telephone with the option of face-to-face contact if required. All other Social Fund applications will continue to be made by post either through Jobcentre Plus or via agencies such as Citizen's Advice Bureau. Payments will continue to be issued at the customer's local office.
	Burslem Jobcentre currently takes new claims to Jobseeker's Allowance, and undertakes all mandatory Jobseeker's Allowance interviews.

Carers

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he is taking to remove the barriers to work for people with caring responsibilities.

Anne McGuire: In the National Strategy for Carers, 'Caring About Carers', published in February 1999, the Government set out its commitment to encourage and enable carers of working age to remain in work and to help those carers who are unable, or do not want, to combine paid work with caring to return to work when their caring responsibilities cease or diminish. Many people providing informal care already do paid work as well.
	From April 2004, Work Focussed Interviews (WFIs) have been introduced for partners of benefit customers in Jobcentre Plus areas. Although partners who are full-time carers with entitlement to carer's allowance are exempt from WFIs, they are however entitled to help and support, including through new deal for partners, on a voluntary basis.
	Carers who are in receipt of carer's allowance can work and earn up to 82 per week. This amount is calculated net of expenses such as income tax, some national insurance contributions, and half of any contribution towards an occupational or personal pension. Help can also be given with the cost of care of the disabled person when the carer is at work, provided that the substitute carer is not a close relative of either the carer or the disabled person. The amount allowable is 50 per cent. of the net earnings after deduction of the other allowable expenses. Therefore, it is possible for a carer to earn well in excess of 82 and still remain eligible for carer's allowance.

Child Support

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many child support cases were referred to the special payments department for financial loss in each year since 1997; and how much was paid out by the Child Support Agency in special payments in each year.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 5 December 2005
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many child support cases were referred to the special payments department for financial loss in each year since 1997 and how much was paid out by the Child Support Agency in special payments in each year.
	We are unable to provide precisely the information you have requested. This is because a referral could consist of more than one component of maladministration (for example, delay, consolatory, and financial loss) and robust information is only available from 1 December 2001.
	We can provide the number of financial loss components considered and paid for the period 1 December 2001 to 31 October 2005 and also the total amount of special payments paid in each year during the same period.
	The table below contains the number of financial loss components considered, the number paid and the amounts paid for the period 1 December 2001 to 31 October 2005 (this is different from either the total number of Special Payments made or indeed the number of people paid Special Payments).
	
		
			 Period Number of financial loss components considered Number of financial loss components paid Total amount paid during the period () 
		
		
			 1 December 2001 to  31 March 2002 2,291 1,884 662,174 
			 1 April 2002 to  31 March 2003 7,219 5,863 2,478,000 
			 1 April 2003 to  31 March 2004 6,268 4,897 2,331,000 
			 1 April 2004 to  31 March 2005 8,742 7,122 3,043,000 
			 1 April 2005 to  31 October 2005 4,470 3,496 2,089,138 
			 Total 28,990 23,262 10,603,312 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful.

Child Support

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of Child Support Agency old scheme cases have not had a reassessment for more than (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years, (d) three years, (e) four years, (f) five years and (g) 10 years.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the latest compliance rate is for Child Support Agency cases; what the target is; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the latest compliance rate is for Child Support Agency cases; what the target is; and if he will make a statement.
	The compliance targets and performance rates to September 2005 are presented in the table below.
	
		Agency compliance targets and performance at September 2005 -- Percentage
		
			   Target Performance at September 
		
		
			 New scheme case compliance 78 66 
			 Old scheme case compliance 75 72 
			 Overall case compliance  70 
			
			 New scheme cash compliance 75 61 
			 Old scheme cash compliance 68 71 
			 Overall cash compliance  68 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Case compliance is defined as the percentage of cases open at the end of any quarter for which any maintenance due via the collection service was received.
	2.Cash compliance is defined as the percentage of maintenance due in any quarter which has been collected via the collection service.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Data Protection

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken by his Department has been to respond to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 since it came into force.

Anne McGuire: This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. This is because requests for information are dealt with as part of normal business consistent with the obligations of the Data Protection Act.

Data Protection

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to improve security of personal data held by his Department on its employees.

Anne McGuire: DWP has policies and systems in place to protect the security of payroll and other personal data relating to its staff. These are subject to managerial checks and regular internal and external auditing.
	The Department is, however, urgently reviewing its current procedures in the light of the unauthorised disclosure of employee details in relation to apparently irregular tax credit claims.

Data Protection

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his Department's staff have had their personal details stolen for fraudulent tax credit applications.

Anne McGuire: The combined DWP and HMRC investigation is making good progress and I will be in a position to provide more details early next week.

Data Protection

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the recent theft of data relating to staff in his Department for use in fraudulent tax credit applications.

Anne McGuire: The combined DWP and HMRC investigation is making good progress and I will be in a position to provide more details early next week.

Debt Manager System

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost is of the introduction of the new Debt Manager system in his Department.

James Plaskitt: The introduction of the new IT system is part of the programme to modernise the recovery of overpaid benefits; in particular to bring about improvements in accounting controls to ensure that accounting irregularities, which have contributed to the qualification of DWP accounts by the CAG in previous years, are removed from the system.
	The total cost of introducing the new DWP Debt Manager system is 21.509 million: this includes all supplier costs (including hardware and software), the costs of Project staff and the Debt Management operational staff costs relating exclusively to the implementation of the new system.

Departmental Call Centres

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his Department's call centres have contracted for voice training for their staff; how many staff in each of these call centres have undertaken voice training courses; what assessment he has made of the effects on (a) staff and (b) customers of voice training; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: DWP has 85 call centres of which 77 have arranged voice training for 4,691 staff during either their initial induction programme or subsequent telephony training. We are unable to breakdown the 4,691 staff that received voice training by site level as this information is not collated centrally by our Learning and Development teams and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Some centres evaluate the impact on staff 12 weeks after the training is received to check to what extent the learning has been understood and that staff are using the skills gained from the sessions.
	Other areas within DWP where voice training has been undertaken have not evaluated the impact of the learning, but have assessed the quality of the sessions, which have been positively received.
	The Pension Service will be piloting a national course for their 25 centres called 'Smart Talk' and will include modules on how to look after your voice.
	No evaluation has been undertaken of the impact on customers of voice training.

Departmental Contracts

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by his Department; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Margaret Hodge: The Department for Work and Pensions has not let any (a) catering or (b) entertainment contracts.

Departmental Estate

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who is responsible for running his Department's Estate; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; and what the details are of his or her career to date.

Anne McGuire: The DWP Estate is run through a 20 year PFI partnership deal competitively awarded by the then Department of Social Security to Trillium (now called Land Securities Trillium) on 1 April 1998. Following the creation of DWP in June 2001, the former Employment Service estate was transferred to Land Securities Trillium from 15 December 2003 under an expansion of the contract.
	Officials' responsibility within the Department therefore is to manage this contractual agreement. The officers responsible are :
	The Commercial Director has specialised in procurement and commercial matters in the Public Sector for nearly 20 years andis a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Before moving to DWP, he was Head of Procurement for the Inland Revenue and has previously held commercial posts in the Home Office and HM Treasury (Central Unit on Procurement).
	The Director of Estates has been in this role since 2000 and has specialised in estates and commercial matters in the Public Sector for the previous 10 years previously occupied Estate Management roles since 1991. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and the British Institute of Facilities Management.
	Their details are also provided in the Civil Service Yearbookthe official online directory for all Government Departments.

Departmental Estate

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) new build and (b) refurbishment of the Department's estate is underway in North Staffordshire; and what the (i) costs are and (ii) timetable is in each case.

Margaret Hodge: (a) The department has received planning permission for a new build in Hanley to replace the existing Jobcentre. We are in the process of seeking tenders and hope to start work on site in March 2006 with an anticipated opening of the office in May 2007. We will not be able to provide information on costs until the tenders have been assessed.
	(b) With regards to refurbishment the department will be refurbishing three offices in North Staffs:
	Kidsgroverefurbishment complete at a cost of 872,322 (including 20,990 for IT)
	Longtonrefurbishment under wayscheduled cost of 1,362,000 (including 71,355 for IT)
	Newcastlerefurbishment due to start 24 Februarydetailed costs not yet known.

Departmental NDPBs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required (a) to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) to publish their response to advice received from such schools;
	(2)  which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base which (a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each case;
	(3)  which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each case.

Anne McGuire: The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) requires the Government to consult the Council prior to legislation on the list of prescribed diseases and on any other matter relating to the industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme or its administration. The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) requires the Government to consult the Committee about proposals for most social security regulations. Only in the case of SSAC is there a statutory requirement to publish the Committee's advice together with the Government's response.
	The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board (DLAAB) and IIAC have a statutory base, but neither body has a statutory requirement to publish their advice to Government. Only DLAAB has a statutory requirement to present an annual report, although it is not required to lay this before Parliament. In addition, although there is no requirement to do so, MAC, SSAC and the Disability Employment Advisory Committee (DEAC) also produce an annual report which is published on the body's website. Printed copies are also available from the secretariats.
	IIAC holds public meetings and conducts public consultation exercises, as does SSAC. Where relevant, SSAC also conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests. IIAC is the only advisory body, which publishes its register of members' interests. The register is included within the annual report. MAC publish agendas for their public meetings, but do not publish the minutes of the meetings, although they are available on request. There is no statutory requirement for any of this activity.

Departmental Posts

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the change in the number of jobs in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies was in (i)200304 and (ii) 200405, broken down by business area; what change is planned for (A) 200506 and (B)200607; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The change in the number of staff in the Department and its agencies between 200304 and 200405 is shown in Table 1. The baseline for the Department's agreed efficiency challenge is 1 March 2004 at which time overall staffing was 130,632.
	The change in planned staff numbers in the Department and its agencies for 200506 and 200607 is shown in Table 2.
	
		Table 1: Change in staff numbers 31 March 2004 to 31 March 2005
		
			  31 March 2004 31 March 2005 Reduction in numbers 
		
		
			 Jobcentre Plus 79,122 73,406 5,716 
			 The Pension Service 18,567 16,189 2,378 
			 Child Support Agency 10,779 9,784 995 
			 Disability and Carers Service 7,103 6,506 597 
			 Appeals Service 816 752 64 
			 The Rent Service  718 n/a 
			 Other Departmental Units 12,068 11,874 194 
			 Total 128,455 119,229 9,226 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	Notes:
	1.Figures are full time equivalents and exclude staff on paid maternity leave.
	2.The Rent Service joined the Department from 1 April 2004 from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	3.Disability and Carers Service was granted Agency status from 1 November 2004.
	4.Figures exclude the Health and Safety Executive.
	
		Table 2: DWP planned staffing numbers
		
			  31 March 2006 31 March 2007 
		
		
			 Jobcentre Plus 70,200 67,550 
			 The Pension Service 14,200 13,350 
			 Child Support Agency 9,400 9,400 
			 Disability and Carers Service 6,400 5,950 
			 Appeals Service 750 750 
			 The Rent Service 750 650 
			 Corporate HR 1,250 1,200 
			 Group Finance 5,500 5,000 
			 Programme and Systems Delivery 500 450 
			 Other Corporate Services 1,150 1,150 
			 Work, Welfare and Equality Group 1,050 950 
			 Pensions Client Directorate 350 350 
			 DWP Contingency 1,000 1,250 
			 Total DWP 112,500 108,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are full-time equivalents rounded to the nearest 50 and exclude staff on paid maternity leave.
	2.Planned staffing numbers are subject to ongoing review.

Departmental Rebranding

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money has been spent on rebranding in his Department and related agencies in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The costs for rebranding incurred by the Department for Work and Pensions during this period are 15,756 for the Child Support Agency brand in 200102.

Departmental Staff

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many staff in the Department accepted voluntary severance schemes in the last three financial years;
	(2)  whether voluntary severance has been suspended in sections of the Department or its agencies.

Anne McGuire: Information on the number of staff in the Department who have accepted voluntary severance and voluntary retirement through exit schemes in the last three financial years is in the following table.
	There has been no suspension of voluntary severance or retirement in any section of the Department or its agencies.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of staff 
		
		
			 200203 73 
			 200304 63 
			 200405 467 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are full time equivalent (rounded).

Departmental Staff

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rates of employee absence in his Department have been in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: Not all of the information requested is available.
	Information about worker absences other than sickness absences is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	There is no information available about sick absence rates from 1997 to 1998.
	The information for the period from 1999 to 200304 has been published in NAO Report HC 18 on 8 December 04 (Page 17 Figure 6).
	The remaining information requested is as follows:
	
		Department for Work and Pensions
		
			  Sickness rate 
			  Average working days lost Percentage working time lost 
		
		
			 200405 12.4 5.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The average working days lost figure is calculated by dividing the working days lost in the Department for the year in question by the working days available for the same period, then multiplying by 250 (the working year: 365 days less weekends and public/privilege days).
	2.The percentage working time lost figure is calculated as in note1, but the multiplier is 100 instead of 250.
	Source:
	Extracts from DWP payroll systems as processed by the DWP Information Directorate.

Departmental Staff

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what voluntary severance schemes are in place in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 25 October 2005
	The voluntary release schemes currently being run within the Department and its agencies are shown in the following tables. Table 1 illustrates the number of schemes operating in each Government Office Region. Table 2 illustrates the agencies and departmental directorates participating in schemes in each Government Office Region.
	
		Table 1
		
			 Region/country Number of schemes 
		
		
			 Wales 3 
			 South East 3 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 4 
			 North East 3 
			 London 4 
			 East Midlands 1 
			 East of England 1 
			 West Midlands 1 
			 South West 1 
			 Scotland 1 
			 North West 1 
		
	
	
		Table 2
		
			 Region/country Agency/departmental directorate included 
		
		
			 Wales Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service 
			 South East Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 North East Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 London Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Disability and Carers Service; Appeals Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 East Midlands Jobcentre Plus 
			 East of England Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 West Midlands Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 South West Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 Scotland Jobcentre Plus; The Pension Service; Departmental Directorates 
			 North West Jobcentre Plus 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Voluntary release schemes are managed on a regional basis. Each scheme may cover all or some staff in an agency/ departmental directorate at all or a limited number of sites within the region.
	2.Voluntary release schemes include voluntary severance and voluntary early retirement.
	3.All schemes are governed by the rules of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme in which there are a number of different types of scheme. More that one type of scheme can be run concurrently within a region.

Departmental Staff

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on reductions in departmental staffing to date in accordance with the Gershon efficiency targets, with particular reference to changes in the balance between (a) full-time and part-time staffing transfers from back-office to frontline functions and (b) natural wastage and redundancy.

Anne McGuire: The agreed baseline for the Department's Efficiency Challenge is 1 March 2004 at which time overall staffing was 130,631 (Full Time Equivalent). Staffing at the end of September 2005 was 116,417 (Full Time Equivalent); a reduction of 14,215 (Full Time Equivalent) since the baseline date.
	The percentage of full-time and part-time staff at the baseline date and at 30 September 2005 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Full-time Part-time 
			 Date Number of staff Percentage Number of staff Percentage 
		
		
			 1 March 2004 103,423 79 27,209 21 
			 30 September 2005 88,086 76 28,331 24 
		
	
	As part of the Department's plans to meet the efficiency challenge, we are increasing the number of posts that have regular, direct contact with customers by 10,000 by March 2008. The increase in posts will occur principally within Jobcentre Plus and they will be resourced through a combination of existing staff within the Department and new recruits. As at the end of September 2005, the Department had created and resourced around 4,000 new customer-facing posts.
	Excluding temporary staff, the number of staff leaving the Department over this period through managed exits and natural wastage was 16,117. Of these, 91 per cent. were as a result of natural wastage, and 9 per cent. as a result of managed exits. There have been no compulsory redundancies.

Electronic Tagging

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the implications for health and safety of electronically tagging workers in commercial warehouses.

Anne McGuire: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has made no assessment of the implications for health and safety of electronically tagging workers in commercial warehouses.
	Such warehouses are allocated to local authorities for the purposes of health and safety enforcement. Operators of such warehouses have to assess all risks to which their employees may be exposed.
	HSE guidance on health and safety in warehouses is in the process of being revised and this topic will be considered for inclusion if evidence is available that any risk exists.

Equality and Diversity

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Department has spent promoting equality and diversity in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Anne McGuire: The Department has a vital role in promoting equality and diversity. Key policy areas include promoting disability rights, taking initiatives to increase employment among ethnic minorities and other groups, and supporting more women to save for retirement. The annual departmental report and the annual report and accounts of the agencies provide fuller information about the Department's policy areas and expenditure. These are laid in the House.
	As an employer the DWP incorporates diversity and equality principles in all its practices. The document 'Realising Equality in the Department for Work and Pensions', published in August 2005, provides an overview of the Department's current diversity and equality activity and its plans for the coming three years. It also reports specifically on race equality for the preceding 12 months. It has been placed in the Library.
	The Department has, since 2002, employed diversity managers in each business area. Promoting equality and diversity is an intrinsic part of their work. The cost of the diversity manager teams for 200405 was 985,530. Information for earlier years is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Complete information on the cost of promoting equality and diversity is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Firework Storage Sites

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what checks are made on consignments of fireworks leaving Health and Safety Executive-licensed firework storage sites to ascertain that legal distribution is taking place.

Anne McGuire: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for regulating the health and safety of the manufacture, storage and transport of fireworks. It has no remit to regulate consignments of fireworks leaving HSE-licensed storage sites other than checking compliance with the transport of dangerous goods legislation.
	Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the legal provisions on the supply of fireworks. HSE works in partnership with local authorities in the regulation of fireworks; where it became aware of information suggesting the illegal supply of fireworks it would immediately pass this information on to the relevant local authority.
	Local authorities are notified about firework imports. It is at the discretion of the local authority to decide what checks it undertakes. This is likely to depend on the circumstances.
	The most likely circumstances are where a local authority had found evidence of illegal storage or supply in breach of a supply licence issued under the Fireworks Regulations 2004. It could then investigate the firm that had supplied those fireworks with a view to taking enforcement action against it.

Fraudulent Claims

Gavin Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the value of fraudulent claims made in each of the last five years in the names of people who have died.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Fraudulent Claims

Gavin Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what means his Department traces those in receipt of benefit for whom they have an incorrect address.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions has a wide range of processes in place for tracing individuals in receipt of benefit for whom they have an incorrect address.
	At the outset of a claim for benefit steps are taken to confirm that the address provided exists and is correct, this is done through matching the details provided with historical data held within my Department. Decision notices issued when entitlement is established and annual award notices issued when benefit rates change include written reminders of the need for customers to notify changes of address. In addition to this when it is known that an address is out of date various steps are taken depending upon the benefit in payment, for example in jobseekers allowance the customer is seen on a regular basis where correct address details are confirmed. Disability  Carers Service would contact such people as carers, health care professionals involved in the case etc to confirm address details. In other areas checks would be made with local authorities where housing benefit and council tax benefit are in payment.
	If an address could not be traced banks would be contacted to suspend payments and data matching takes place with organisations such as Royal Mail redirect. Details of changes in addresses notified to one part of my Department are shared with other Agencies within the Department through cross-benefit computer systems. These systems also receive address data from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs where many customers who are in receipt of child benefit, child tax credits and new tax credits are also customers of my Department.
	My Department is also looking at data matching with Credit Reference Agencies to ensure address data is kept up to date.

Government Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what activities have been made unlawful by legislation introduced by his Department since 1 May 2001; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The following criminal offences have been created in primary legislation sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions since 1 May 2001.
	(a) Social Security Fraud Act 2001
	(i) section 2(3)(a) inserts a new paragraph (ab) into subsection (1) of section 111 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to make it an offence for a person to refuse or neglect to comply with any requirements under section 109BA or 110A (power of the Secretary of State or local authority to require electronic access to information) or with any requirement of any arrangement entered under that section to allow authorised officers access;
	(ii) section 16 amends section 111A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (dishonest representations for obtaining benefit etc) to extend the circumstances in which a person is to be guilty of an offence if there has been a change of circumstances which he knows will affect entitlement to benefit (either his or another person's), the change is not one which is excluded by regulations from the changes which are required to be notified, and he dishonestly fails, or dishonestly causes or allows another person to fail, to give a prompt notification of the change;
	(iii) section 16 also amends section 112 of that Act (false representations for obtaining benefit etc) to extend the circumstances in which a person is to be guilty of an offence if he fails or causes another to fail to give a prompt notification of any change which he knows affect entitlement to any benefit;
	(b) Pensions Act 2004
	(i) section 77(1) makes it an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to refuse to provide information or produce a document when required to do so under section 72 by the Regulator;
	(ii) section 77(2) makes it an offence for a person to intentionally delay or obstruct an inspector exercising powers under sections 73 to 75 or to refuse to produce or secure the production of any document or to answer a question or provide information when required;
	(iii) section 77(5) makes it an offence for a person intentionally or without reasonable excuse to alter, suppress or destroy any document which he is required to produce under section 72 or 75;
	(iv) section 80 makes it an offence for a person to knowingly or recklessly provide the Regulator with information which is false or misleading in a material particular in certain specified circumstances;
	(v) section 82 makes it an offence for a person to disclose restricted information in contravention of that section;
	(vi) section 193 makes it an offence for a person to fail to provide information to the Board of the Pension Protection Fund or to obstruct a person appointed by the Board or to refuse to produce a document in circumstances similar to those described under (i) to (iii);
	(vii) section 195 and 197 respectively make similar provision as in (iv) and (v) for providing information which is false or misleading to the Board or disclosing restricted information;
	(viii) section 256 makes it an offence for a trustee or manager to be reimbursed out of the assets of a pension schemes for fines or penalties in contravention of that section;
	(ix) Schedule 4, paragraph 11 makes it an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to refuse or fail to attend or to give evidence to the Pensions Regulator Tribunal or to alter, suppress or destroy any document which he is liable to produce to the Tribunal or to refuse to produce a document;
	(c) Disability Discrimination Act 2005
	(i) section 10(3) insets a new subsection (2B) into section 16B of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which makes it an offence for a person to knowingly or recklessly make a statement to the effect that publication of a particular advert would not be unlawful by reason of the operation of subsection (2);
	(ii) section 7(2)(b) prospectively adds to the definition of relevant document in section 49(1) of the 1995 Act a rail vehicle accessibility compliance certificate so as to make it an offence for such a document to be forged, altered etc or for a false statement to be made for the purpose of obtaining such a certificate;
	(iii) section 8(2) prospectively inserts a new subsection (5) into section 49 of the 1995 Act to make it an offence to falsely pretend to be a person authorised to inspect rail vehicles;
	(iv) section 9 inserts a new section 21A into the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 in relation to badges issued outside Great Britain, subsections (4) and (8) of which respectively make it an offence to display a badge purporting to be a recognised badge unless it is a recognised badge and is displayed in accordance with regulations and to fail, without reasonable excuse, to produce a badge when required to do so by a constable or enforcement officer.

Housing Benefit Bill

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to introduce the Housing Benefit Bill; why it has been delayed; whether it is his policy to include a pilot scheme for the social rented sector and housing benefit sanctions for anti-social neighbours; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: In the Queen's speech we made a commitment to legislate on reform of support for housing costs during this Parliamentary session and that remains the position.
	We would want to discuss any proposals to reform housing benefit in the social rented sector in more detail with interested organisations as we determine our priorities for wider welfare reform.
	We are continuing to keep all measures for tacking antisocial behaviour under review. Sanctions could be one of a number of measures that would help to address the misery caused by antisocial behaviour.

Human Resources

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who the Director of Human resources is in his Department; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; and what are the details of his or her career to date.

Anne McGuire: The Group Human Resources Director General for the Department for Work and Pensions is Kevin White. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has been working in Human Resources for 12 years. His contact details, responsibilities and key staff are published in the Civil Service Yearbookthe official online directory for all Government Departments. His biography, including information about his present job, career history and education are reproduced in The Whitehall Companion.

Incapacity Benefit

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in (a) Wakefield and (b) Hemsworth constituency (i) left and (ii) joined the register of persons in receipt of incapacity benefit in the last 10 years.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the tables.
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) commencements in the Wakefield metropolitan district council area and the Hemsworth parliamentary constituency in each year since 1996
		
			 Year ending 31 May: Great Britain Wakefield Hemsworth 
		
		
			 1996 1,019,900 8,300 2,400 
			 1997 998,700 8,700 2,400 
			 1998 905,000 8,600 2,900 
			 1999 837,300 6,800 2,500 
			 2000 801,100 7,200 2,300 
			 2001 788,700 6,400 1,800 
			 2002 731,100 6,400 2,400 
			 2003 722,400 6,200 1,800 
			 2004 695,300 5,700 1,800 
			 2005 624,400 5,800 2,000 
		
	
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) terminations in the Wakefield metropolitan district council area and the Hemsworth parliamentary constituency in each year since 1996
		
			 Year ending 31 May: Great Britain Wakefield Hemsworth 
		
		
			 1996 1,060,500 8,900 2,900 
			 1997 987,000 9,000 3,200 
			 1998 955,600 8,800 2,800 
			 1999 866,200 7,200 2,700 
			 2000 837,900 8,000 2,600 
			 2001 725,800 5,800 1,800 
			 2002 720,200 6,400 2,200 
			 2003 698,200 6,000 1,900 
			 2004 717,400 6,400 1,900 
			 2005 665,100 6,400 2,300 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2.These figures have been updated to include late notified commencements/terminations.
	3.All figures back to 1995 have been revised, and may be subject to further change:
	a.Figures prior to 2005 are subject to minor changes.
	b.Figures for 2004 include fewer late notifications than previous quarters and will be subject to greater change in future.
	c.Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, 5 per cent. Samples.

Incapacity Benefit

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people living in the Normanton constituency claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1997,
	(2)  what proportion of the working age population in the Normanton constituency claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: The information necessary to determine the proportion of the working age population claiming incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance is not available, because population estimates are not available for parliamentary constituencies.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity benefit and severe disability allowance claimants in the Normanton parliamentary constituency: May 1997 to 2005
		
			  Number of claimants 
		
		
			 May 1997 3,900 
			 May 1998 3,700 
			 May 1999 3,800 
			 May 2000 3,900 
			 May 2001 4,000 
			 May 2002 4,000 
			 May 2003 3,900 
			 May 2004 4,000 
			 May 2005 3,800 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2.'Claimant' figures include all IB/SDA claimants (including IB credits only cases).
	3.May 1997, 1998 and 1999 have been adjusted by applying detail from 5 per cent. data to 100 per cent. totals.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data. Information Directorate, 5 per cent. sample May 1997, 1998, 1999.

Incapacity Benefit

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people of working age are in receipt of incapacity benefit within each (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available in the format requested, because population estimates are not available by parliamentary constituency. The available information has been placed in the Library.

Incapacity Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the types of mental health problems experienced by incapacity benefit claimants who have been claiming for (a) less than a year and (b) more than a year.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Types of mental or behavioural disorders experienced by incapacity benefit claimants who were claiming at 30 June 2005
		
			 Mental or behavioural disorder type Claiming for greater than one year Claiming for a year or less Total 
		
		
			 Depressive episode 377,250 88,540 465,790 
			 Other anxiety disorders 91,580 19,930 111,510 
			 Other neurotic disorders 71,510 7,300 78,810 
			 Reaction to severe stress 35,380 16,760 52,140 
			 Drug abuse 33,220 13,200 46,420 
			 Alcoholism 37,200 8,550 45,750 
			 Schizophrenia 36,180 2,450 38,640 
			 Mental disorder not otherwise specified 19,420 3,960 23,370 
			 Unspecified nonorganic psychosis 12,420 1,590 14,010 
			 Specific development disorders of scholastic skills 10,070 1,980 12,050 
			 Phobic anxiety disorders 7,540 790 8,340 
			 Unspecified mental retardation 6,410 140 6,550 
			 Unspecified mood disorder 4,150 740 4,890 
			 MB disorders associated with puerperium, not elsewhere classified 3,030 910 3,940 
			 Specific personality disorders 2,330 370 2,700 
			 Persistent delusional disorder 1,810 410 2,220 
			 Persistent mood disorder 2,040 50 2,090 
			 Eating disorder 1,180 280 1,470 
			 Manic episode 910 80 990 
			 Pervasive development disorders 600 270 870 
			 Recurrent depressive disorder 740 90 820 
			 Unspecified dementia 480 100 580 
			 Dissociative disorders 100 20 130 
			 Somatoform disorders 10 0 10 
			 Total 755,570 168,510 924,070 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data are to the end of August 2005.
	2.Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	3.The statistics quoted in this response are taken from the Department's 100 per cent. Benefits Database.

Incapacity Benefit

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the proposed reforms of the incapacity benefit system will be in place by the end of 2008; what recent meetings he has had to discuss such reforms; when he will publish a Green Paper on these reforms; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: We intend to publish our proposals for welfare reform, including reforming incapacity benefits, in a Green Paper in January. I have continued the process of engagement with stakeholder groups and others which has been an on-going feature of our consultation on welfare reform. As we have said before, we plan to have the main elements of the reforms in place by 2008.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people aged over 50 years claimed jobseeker's allowance (JSA) in (a) 200102, (b) 200203, (c) 200304 and (d) 200405, broken down by region; what percentage in each region (i)remained on JSA, (ii) found work, (iii) moved onto income support and (iv) moved onto incapacity benefit in each year; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many people aged over 50 years who claimed jobseeker's allowance (JSA) were eligible for the new deal 50-plus in (a) 200102, (b) 200203, (c) 200304 and (d) 200405, broken down by region; what percentage in each region (i) remained on JSA, (ii) found work, (iii) moved onto income support and (iv) moved onto incapacity benefit in each year; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information has been placed in the Library.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged over 50 years participated in new deal 50 plus in (a) 200102, (b) 200203, (c) 200304 and (d) 200405, broken down by region; what percentage in each year (i)remained on jobseeker's allowance, (ii) found work, (iii) moved onto income support and (iv) moved onto incapacity benefit in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Information is only available on starts to new deal 50 plus from January 2004. Prior to January 2004, new deal 50 plus information is available for those going into work and claiming the new deal 50plus employment credit.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		New deal 50 plus
		
			  Individual starts of which, percentage who subsequently (to June 2005) moved 
			 Jobcentre Plus region or country between January 2004 and March 2005 claiming JSA at start date Into work Into work and moved onto IS and/or IB Onto IS Onto IB Onto IS and IB Neither into work or onto IB or IS Claiming JSA at end of June 2005 
		
		
			 Scotland 4,200 27 3 1 5 5 58 38 
			 North East 2,010 23 2 1 6 6 61 38 
			 North West 3,010 26 2 1 5 7 59 37 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,420 25 2 1 5 6 62 40 
			 Wales 1,920 25 2 1 6 6 60 36 
			 West Midlands 4,450 23 2 1 6 5 63 36 
			 East Midlands 1,920 23 2 2 5 6 64 40 
			 East of England 3,750 22 1 1 4 5 67 39 
			 South East 3,750 22 1 1 4 6 67 35 
			 London 5,570 21 1 1 3 6 68 49 
			 South West 2,750 27 2 1 4 7 59 32 
			 Total 35,750 24 2 1 5 6 63 39 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Information on starts to new deal 50 plus is not available prior to January 2004 and has been amalgamated for the 15 month period January 2004 to March 2005.
	2.Information for percentages of people from this group still claiming jobseeker's allowance (JSA) is given to June 2005 as this is the latest benefit information available and gives a more accurate reflection of people still claiming JSA.
	3.Information is only for those who were claiming JSA when they started new deal 50 plus. It is possible to join new deal 50 plus and not be claiming JSA.
	4.Percentage moving into work consists of people recorded as gaining a job through new deal 50 plus and may include people claiming a benefit other than income support or incapacity benefit.
	5.Percentage moving into work and onto income support and /or incapacity benefit consists of people who are recorded as gaining a job through new deal 50 plus who are also recorded as having a new claim for income support or incapacity benefit after starting the programme. The income support/incapacity benefit claim may have occurred before, during, or after their job.
	6.People recorded as not going into work or claiming income support or incapacity benefit could still be participating on new deal 50 plus.
	7.The percentage claiming JSA at the end of June 2005 may include people who also went into work or claimed income support or incapacity benefit between joining the programme and June 2005.
	8.Jobs figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	9.Individual percentages may not sum exactly to 100 per cent. due to rounding.
	10.JSA (jobseeker's allowance); IS (income support); IB (incapacity benefit).
	Source:
	Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and New Deal Evaluation Database

Jobseeker's Allowance

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions what the current average time taken is for jobseeker's allowance claimants (a) to be called in for interview and (b) thereafter to receive their first benefit.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what the current average time taken is for jobseeker's allowance claimants to be called for interview and thereafter receive their first benefit. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	To make a claim to jobseeker's allowance, the customer calls a contact centre where they answer a series of questions to assess their potential eligibility. Contact centre staff then arrange to call the customer back to complete a claim form, which is sent to the customer to check and sign. They also arrange a work focused interview at the customer's local Jobcentre Plus office.
	Currently Jobcentre Plus measures the average time it takes to complete the whole process and collates statistics on the time it takes for the contact centre to call the customer back after initial contact.
	Information about the average number of days a customer waits for a call-back across the entire contact centre network can be found in the table below. This data is only available from August and is recorded as actual days.
	
		
			  2005 Average number of days call-back wait time 
		
		
			 Week commencing:  
			 15 August 4.2 
			 22 August 4.2 
			 29 August 4.2 
			 5 September 5.0 
			 12 September 5.2 
			 19 September 4.8 
			 26 September 4.8 
			 3 October 4.8 
			 10 October 4.4 
			 17 October 3.3 
			 24 October 3.1 
			 31 October 2.3 
			 7 November 2.4 
			 14 November 1.6 
		
	
	In answer to the second part of your question, the following table contains the actual average clearance times for jobseeker's allowance from May to October this year.
	
		
			  2005 Actual average clearance times JSA 
		
		
			 May 12.9 
			 June 13.1 
			 July 13.5 
			 August 14.1 
			 September 14.7 
			 October 15.4 
			 Year to date 13.7 
		
	
	We have put in place a robust set of improvement actions to improve this situation.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of those on jobseeker's allowance returned to full-time work within (a) one month, (b) three months and (c) six months, in each month in the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. Information is available for those that have been recorded as having found work. However, not all leavers who find work tell Jobcentre Plus and so are not recorded as such. The available information has been placed in the Library.
	The Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No 244, Destination of benefit leavers 2004, showed that, nationally, 62 per cent. of claimants leaving income support, incapacity benefit or jobseeker's allowance entered employment of 16 hours or more a week. This compares to 61 per cent. in 2003. Copies of the reports are available in the Library.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Gravesham constituency are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: As at October 2005, the most recent available figure, there were 1,462 people in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in the Gravesham parliamentary constituency.

Lone Parents

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost of income support for single parents who are now required to work due to the age of their children; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Lone parents are only entitled to receive income support if they are not required to be available for work. Where a lone parent is required to be available for work, they would have to claim jobseeker's allowance while they were seeking work.

New Deal

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measure of sustainability his Department uses for people gaining jobs through (a) new deal for young people, (b) new deal for 25 plus, (c) new deal for partners, (d) new deal for 50 plus, (e) new deal for disabled people, (f) new deal for lone parents and (g) all other welfare to work programmes since 1997; and whether this measure has changed in relation to each scheme.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 22 November 2005
	Sustainability for jobs gained through the new deal programme is measured in slightly different ways across the new deals. In the case of new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus, employment is regarded as sustained if a person gaining a job through these new deals does not claim jobseeker's allowance for at least 13 weeks after gaining employment. This measure has not changed since the programmes were introduced in 1998.
	Since 27 October 2005, employment sustainability for those participating on new deal for lone parents has been measured through the Work and Pensions longitudinal study. If a job gained through the programme lasts at least 13 weeks, it is regarded as sustained. A measure of job sustainability was not available prior to October 2005.
	When a person gains a job through a new deal for disabled people (NDDP) job broker and remains in work for 13 weeks out of a 39 weeks period, that employment is regarded as sustained. This measure has not changed since the programme started in 2001.
	A measure of job sustainability for new deal 50 plus and new deal for partners is not available.
	Employment gained through employment zones, which help people living in areas of persistently high unemployment into work, is defined as sustained if a person gaining a job through the programme does not return to claim jobseeker's allowance for at least 13 weeks. This measure has not changed since the programme was introduced in 2000.
	In the case of action teams, which help people in economically deprived areas into work, employment is regarded as sustained if the job lasts continuously for at least 11 weeks during the 13 week period after the person starts work, or if the person has two or more jobs which together add up to a total of at least 11 weeks during the 13 week period after they start work. This measure of sustainability has not changed since the programme was introduced in 2000.
	In April 2004, we introduced working neighbourhoods pilots to help people in deprived areas into work. Employment gained through the programme is regarded as sustained if a person moves off benefit and remains in work for a minimum of 13 weeks. This measure has not changed since the programme was introduced in 2004.
	Our ambition programme, which provides unemployed people with the skills and experience to work in specific employment sectors, defines employment as sustained if a person gaining a job through the ambition programmes is still working in that sector 26 weeks after gaining a job. This measure has not changed since ambition started in 2002.
	Finally, our progress2work and progress2work linkup programmes, which assist drug and alcohol misusers into work, as well as offenders and homeless people, define employment as sustained if a person, gaining employment through the programmes, does not return to claim jobseeker's allowance within 13 weeks. This measure has not changed since the programmes were introduced in 2002.

New Deal

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions how much has been allocated to the full-time education and training option under the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in England in (a) 200304, (b) 200405, (c) 200506, (d) 200607 and (e) 200708.

Margaret Hodge: The available information is in the table.
	
		Expenditure in England on the New Deal for Young People Full-Time Education and Training Option --  million
		
			  Outturn 
		
		
			 200304 25 
			 200405 32 
			 200506(24) 31 
		
	
	(24)Forecast.
	Notes:
	1.Allocations for the 200607 and 200708 financial years are not yet available.
	2.Figures exclude administrative expenditure and allowances payments to participants.
	3.Figures are rounded to nearest million.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Financial Strategy Division

New Deal

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent changes there have been in the contracting process for New Deal services; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Contracts for New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25 Plus are currently being re-tendered. All contracts are procured through open and fair competition in accordance with EU regulations, using the Jobcentre Plus website.
	Jobcentre Plus wish to consolidate their contracts to provide larger, more viable and administratively less cumbersome contracts.
	The competitive tendering process is now in two stages. The first stage is a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), whereby providers set out at high level how they propose to meet the requirements. Evaluation of the PQQ will then result in a shortlist of providers who will be invited to submit a full tender at the second stage.
	Jobcentre Plus will ensure that local, small and specialist providers continue to contribute to their employment programmes. It is therefore encouraging smaller providers to develop relationships with other providers with a view to offering their services either as a consortium or on a sub-contract basis. The contracts will also be agreed in such a way as to protect good small providers or those who specialise in a particular area.
	Jobcentre Plus will require all bidders to set out who they will be using to deliver the services. They will also require a signed declaration from sub-contractors confirming that they are content with the prices offered by the main contractor.

New Deal

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Gravesham constituency who attained sustained employment through a new deal programme have since re-started on a new deal programme.

Margaret Hodge: Up to the end of May 2005, 1,500 people had gained a sustained job through the new deal programme in Gravesham. Of these, 390 people had returned to a new deal programme to the end of August 2005.
	Notes:
	1.Information is not available at constituency level for new deal for disabled people. 2.A measure of job sustainability is not available for new deal 50 plus and new deal for partners. 3.Figures provided are for new deal for young people, new deal 25 plus and new deal for lone parents. Jobs information for these programmes is available to May 2005; starts information is available up to August 2005. 4.For the purposes of new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus, employment is defined as sustained if the person has not returned to claim jobseeker's allowance within 13 weeks of leaving new deal. 5.For the purposes of new deal for lone parents (NDLP), employment is defined as sustained if an NDLP participant has remained in employment for 13 weeks, as measured by the Work and Pensions longitudinal study. 6.Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate

New Deal

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase the use of the voluntary sector in delivering new deal programmes.

Margaret Hodge: Contracts for new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus are currently being re-tendered. All contracts are procured through open and fair competition in accordance with EU regulations, using the Jobcentre Plus website.
	We actively encourage voluntary sector providers to develop relationships with other providers with a view to offering their services, either as a consortium or on a sub-contract basis. We will be working with providers to ensure they understand the need for diversity in delivery, including the use of smaller providers and voluntary sector organisations. We will require all bidders to identify who they will be using to deliver their services, and will also require a signed declaration from all sub-contractors confirming they are content with the prices offered by the main contractor.
	Jobcentre Plus district managers are also encouraged to work in close partnership with local organisations, making best use of non-contracted provision, often provided through the voluntary sector. For example, with new deal for lone parents, districts have agreements with intermediary organisations within both the voluntary and private sector to refer lone parents for training and other support. We have also procured European Social Fund contracts to provide training and job search support for new deal customers and these have been delivered by voluntary organisations.
	We are currently looking at ways in which new deal participants would be able to access non contracted training provision, possibly with the voluntary sector and charitable organisations. This would give participants access to things like childcare and travel costs as well as a training premium of 15 per week for approved training activities.

New Registrations (Slough)

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of residents in Slough issued with new national insurance numbers in each of the last five years for which data are available;
	(2)  how many people from new EU member states countries have registered in Slough for new national insurance numbers in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: Information as to how many residents of Slough were issued with new national insurance numbers is not available. Information regarding the number of applications for national insurance numbers administered in Slough is in the table.
	
		Applications for national insurance numbers administered in Slough
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 September 2002 to March 2003 2,651 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 5,127 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 5,388 
			 April 2005 to November 2005 5,203 
		
	
	The available information regarding the number of national insurance numbers issued in Slough to people from the new EU Accession states is in the table.
	
		National insurance numbers issued in Slough to people from EU Accession states
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 October 2004 to March 2005 362 
			 April 2005 to November 2005 1,986 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The new EU Accession states entered the EU from May 2004.
	2.Figures on the number of national insurance numbers issued to people from EU Accession states are only available from October 2004.

Obesity

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the total expenditure on disability pensions was accounted for by people suffering from obesity in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how much was spent on disability pensions for people suffering from obesity in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Anne McGuire: Information is only available on those claiming incapacity benefits whose primary diagnosis is obesity. The available information is in the tables.
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB), severe disablement allowance (SDA) and income support with a disability premium (ISDP); working-age expenditure on people suffering from obesity --  million real terms
		
			  ObesityIB/SDA/ISDP expenditure TotalIB/SDA and ISDP expenditure Obesity as a percentage of IB/SDA/IS DP expenditure 
		
		
			 200001 8 13,184 0.06 
			 200102 8 13,289 0.06 
			 200203 8 12,789 0.06 
			 200304 8 12,421 0.07 
			 200405 8 12,554 0.07 
		
	
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB), severe disablement allowance (SDA) and income support with a disability premium (ISDP); working-age expenditure on people suffering from obesity --  million nominal terms
		
			  ObesityIB/SDA/ISDP expenditure TotalIB/SDA and ISDP expenditure Obesity as a percentage of IB/SDA/IS DP expenditure 
		
		
			 200001 7 11,566 0.06 
			 200102 7 11,955 0.06 
			 200203 8 11,899 0.06 
			 200304 8 11,883 0.07 
			 200405 8 12,247 0.07 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are consistent with the historical out-turn expenditure figures published in the DWP's benefit expenditure which can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp
	2.Expenditure has been apportioned using data on conditions of IB and SDA recipients from the IB 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.
	3.Expenditure refers to the total expenditure from IB, SDA and ISDP for those in receipt of IB or SDA.
	4.Diagnoses are coded in accordance with the International Classification of Disease 10th edition, published by the World Health Organisation.
	5.Figures are rounded to the nearest million pounds.
	6.Figures are of working-age claimants only.
	7.Real term figures are in 200506 prices.
	8.Figures for 200405 are estimated out-turn.
	Source:
	DWP Cross Cutting Strategy and Analysis Directorate, DWP information Directorate.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Daventry on 9 November, reference 28183.

Anne McGuire: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1990W.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent mental health workers are employed by each Pathways to Work pilot area, broken down by type of mental health worker; and what the ratio of mental health workers to participants is in each area.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is not available.
	In 200506, we expect around 3,000 customers in Pathways to Work pilot areas to receive support from the condition management programme.

Pension Credit

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government are taking to ensure that it meets its target of 3 million people claiming pension credit by Easter 2006.

Stephen Timms: The Pension Service is contacting again those individuals who are likely to be entitled to either small amounts of the guarantee element of pension credit, or the savings element only, to encourage them to apply. New marketing campaigns have been developed and data-matching techniques are being used to increase the accuracy with which letters are targeted. Further contact is also being made with those households we believe to be eligible for pension credit, but who have not so far responded.
	Between April 2005 and March 2006, The Pension Service plans to have visited around 800,000 households to provide a full benefit check to ensure everyone is assisted in claiming their full entitlement to all benefits. The Pension Service's local service will also continue to work closely with its local partners such as Help the Aged and Age Concern to help ensure pensioners take up their entitlements.
	National statistics showing the number of pensioners entitled to pension credit in the first six months after its introduction and the subsequent take-up rate are expected to be released early in 2006.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of UK pensioners (a) entitled to pension credit and (b) receiving pension credit in each region; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Latest estimates of the number of pensioners in Great Britain entitled to pension credit are due to be published in early 2006 in Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2003/2004. Copies of the report will be available from the Library.
	The number of pension credit recipients as at September 2005 is in the following tables.
	
		Number of households receiving pension credit by pension credit type and GOR as at September 2005
		
			  Total claimants Guarantee credit (GC) only Savings credit (SC) only GC  SC 
		
		
			 All GB 2,711,000 775,900 611,400 1,323,800 
			  
			 North East 158,200 36,800 40,000 81,300 
			 North West 358,400 99,900 76,100 182,500 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 261,400 66,700 65,000 129,700 
			 East Midlands 195,500 49,900 49,100 96,400 
			 West Midlands 279,500 76,100 62,300 141,200 
			 East of England 223,100 54,600 55,400 113,100 
			 London 289,100 146,400 43,400 99,300 
			 South East 280,200 76,100 69,200 134,900 
			 South West 223,600 54,800 53,500 115,400 
			 Wales 160,400 41,200 33,900 85,300 
			 Scotland 281,600 73,400 63,500 144,700 
		
	
	
		Number of individuals receiving pension credit by GOR as at September 2005
		
			  Total individual beneficiaries Couple with female claimant Single females Couple with male claimant Single males 
		
		
			 All GB 3,299,100 125,500 1,589,000 462,500 533,900 
			   
			 North East 194,200 7,900 91,100 28,200 31,000 
			 North West 433,500 16,600 209,400 58,500 74,000 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 321,100 12,800 152,400 46,900 49,300 
			 East Midlands 241,100 10,000 114,300 35,700 35,500 
			 West Midlands 345,500 13,400 159,100 52,600 54,400 
			 East of England 274,000 10,700 132,700 40,200 39,600 
			 London 344,100 8,800 165,900 46,200 68,100 
			 South East 336,200 12,200 172,500 43,800 51,800 
			 South West 273,500 10,800 132,400 39,100 41,400 
			 Wales 197,900 8,300 92,500 29,300 30,300 
			  337,900 14,100 166,900 42,200 58,400 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The preferred data source for figures supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions is the Work and Pension Longitudinal Study, for which the latest published data is May 2005. The figures provided are those published in the Pension Credit Quarterly Progress Report, which provides an early estimate of caseload, these figures are our latest estimates.
	2.Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 100 and expressed in thousands. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3.Pension Credit (PC) replaced Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) on 6 October 2003. Existing MIG recipients were automatically converted onto Pension Credit on that date (assuming they still met the eligibility criteria).
	4.Data from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) 100 percent scan taken on 16 September 2005. The figures have been rated up to give month-end estimates.
	5.These figures are early estimates. Operational processing times mean that a number of claim commencements and terminations are not reflected in the figures. The final figures incorporated within the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) will take account of such cases.
	6.Couples may contain a number of partners who are less than the age of 60.
	Source:
	Information Directorate, 100 per cent. data.

Pension Protection Fund

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what meetings he has had with the Board of the Pension Protection Fund.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met with the chair on 22 November 2005.
	I met with members of the Board of the Pensions Protection Fund on 25 May 2005 and 12 December 2005, with the chief executive on 2 June 2005 and the chair on 15 November 2005

Pension Protection Fund

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the operation of the Pension Protection Fund.

Stephen Timms: The Pension Protection Fund became operational on 6 April 2005. It will pay compensation to members of eligible non money purchase pension schemes where an employer becomes insolvent and the scheme is unable to afford to pay benefits at the level of PPF compensation.
	The board will produce an annual report and set of accounts for its activities in respect of each financial year, which the Secretary of State will present to Parliament. It published proposals for calculation of the levy which will fund its activities on 16 December.
	To date, there are 28 schemes in an assessment period for the fund, accounting for over 18,000 scheme members.

Pension Schemes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with (a) the Financial Services Authority and (b) life assurance companies about what constitutes best advice with regards to private funded pensions following the pensions regulator's assessment of the deficit of final salary schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The responsibility for keeping members of final salary schemes informed and up to date about their scheme and its funding rests with the trustees of the scheme. Trustees can seek advice from their professional advisers; in addition, the pensions regulator produces a number of documents designed to help trustees in their work, including codes of practice. A code of practice on scheme funding is due to be published this month. The new funding provisions to replace the minimum funding requirement, due to come into force this month, promote greater transparency in scheme funding. Trustees of final salary schemes will be required to send regular statements of their scheme's funding position to all scheme members.

Pensioners

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of pensioners in each county of the UK who had no private income in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The following tables show the percentage and number of pensioners with no private income in each of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The data are from the 200304 Family Resources Survey. Because the data are from a sample survey the results are subject to a degree of uncertainty.
	
		(a) Percentage of pensioners with no private income
		
			  Pensioner couples Single pensioners All pensioner units 
		
		
			 Northern Ireland 20 42 33 
			 Wales 11 24 19 
			 Scotland 12 22 18 
			 England 6 18 13 
			 United Kingdom 7 19 15 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Private income is defined as income from occupational and personal pensions, investment income, earnings, and 'other' income. The definition is consistent with that used in table 7 of the Pensioners' Income Series. 2.Pensioner couples are couples where the man is over State Pension Agethe table shows the percentage and number of pensioner couples without some form of private income. Pensioner units are either single pensioners or pensioner couples.
	
		(b) Number of pensioner couples and single pensioners with no private income
		
			  Pensioner couples Single pensioners All pensioner units 
		
		
			 Northern Ireland 10,000 40,000 60,000 
			 Wales 20,000 60,000 70,000 
			 Scotland 30,000 90,000 120,000 
			 England 150,000 660,000 810,000 
			 United Kingdom 210,000 850,000 1,050,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10,000. The number of single pensioners and pensioner couples may not equal the total number of pensioner units due to rounding.
	2.Pensioner couples are couples where the man is over State Pension Agethe table shows the percentage and number of pensioner couples without some form of private income. Pensioner units are either single pensioners or pensioner couples.

Pensioners

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (a) single women, (b) single men and (c) couples aged (i) 60 to 64, (ii) 65 to 69, (iii) 70 to 74 and (iv) 75 years or over receive less than a full basic state pension by up to (A)50p, (B) 1, (C) 5, (D) 10, (E) 20 and (F) 30 per week.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table.
	
		
			  Rate of basic pension 
			  Less than 50 50.00 to 59.99 60.00 to 60.99 70 to 70.99 Full basic pension 
			  Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % 
		
		
			 Men   
			 Aged 6569 25,700 2.1 28,500 2.3 45,200 3.7 94,100 7.7 1,030,300 84.2 
			 Aged 7074 22,100 2.1 20,000 1.9 32,000 3.1 56,100 5.4 914,300 87.5 
			 Aged 75+ 17,200 1.0 16,200 1.0 21,900 1.3 39,800 2.4 1,553,900 94.2 
			 Women   
			 Aged 6064 543,600 40.9 161,000 12.1 139,200 10.5 126,900 9.5 358,100 26.9 
			 Aged 6569 680,500 52.2 95,900 7.4 62,900 4.8 65,900 5.1 397,200 30.5 
			 Aged 7074 577,400 48.9 42,000 3.6 30,900 2.6 36,400 3.1 494,400 41.9 
			 Aged 75+ 668,900 24.9 35,200 1.3 32,100 1.2 47,500 1.8 1,903,800 70.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data are taken from 5 per cent. extract of PSCS as at 31 March 2005, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling. The cases are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the WPLS.
	2.Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100 and are for Great Britain only.
	3.A full basic Category A state pension was 79.60 per week for 200405.
	4.The figures are for men and women getting either a Category A pension or a Category B pension based on their own or their spouse's or late or former spouse's National Insurance contribution recordit is not possible to identify recipients by marital status.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate five per cent. SampleGB figures.

Pensioners

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of pensioners were living in absolute poverty in (a) each constituency in Wales and (b) each ward of the Vale of Clwyd constituency in each year since 1994.

Stephen Timms: No robust geographical breakdown is available of the number of pensioners in absolute poverty in Wales.

Pensioners

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions what his Department's estimate is of the amount paid in rent rebate to pensioners in 200405.

James Plaskitt: An estimated 2,242 million was paid in housing benefit rent rebate to pensioners in 200405.
	Note:
	This figure is rounded to the nearest million and is consistent with the pre-Budget report 2005. The estimate is based on local authority subsidy returns, combined with local authority-supplied statistical data in order to estimate how much is paid to pensioners. Estimates include both rent rebate reimbursed to local authorities by DWP, and that which is met from local authorities' own funds.
	Source:
	DWP Expenditure Tables.

Pensioners

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's estimate is of the amount paid in council tax benefit to pensioners in 200405.

James Plaskitt: An estimated 1,818 million was paid in council tax benefit to pensioners in 200405.
	Note:
	This figure is rounded to the nearest million and is consistent with the pre- Budget report 2005. The estimate is based on local authority subsidy returns, combined with local authority-supplied statistical data in order to estimate how much is paid to pensioners. Estimates include both council tax benefit reimbursed to local authorities by DWP, and that which is met from local authorities' own funds.
	Source:
	DWP Expenditure Tables.

Pensions Reform

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the Pensions Commission second report;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress on plans to reform the UK pensions system;
	(3)  what recent representations he has received on the findings and recommendations of the Pensions Commission report.

Stephen Timms: The Government welcomes the broad framework of the Pensions Commission's proposals and options which were published on 30 November 2005, and believe they are the right basis for the debate to come.
	The Government will now need to reflect on the report and are committed to consulting with the public and stakeholders on these key issues as part of the National Pensions Debate. There is much to be discussed and decided on the detail of that framework and our response must meet the five tests we have set outthat our overall package of reforms must promote personal responsibility; must be fair, affordable, simple and sustainable.
	As far as the specific recommendations are concerned, the Government are ruling nothing in and nothing out.
	We will launch the next stage of the National Pensions Debate in the new year and will continue to talk with people of all ages, in all parts of the country and across all political parties. We want to continue to listen to everyone's views so that we create ownership of the challenges and the possible solutions.
	We will also continue to listen and engage with stakeholders and we are already meeting with key stakeholders as we work towards building a consensus on the way forward.
	The Government will work towards the publication of a White Paper in the spring.

Pensions Reform

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Pensions Commission final report.

Stephen Timms: The Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State speak regularly about a wide range of policy issues.

Pensions Reform

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what role his Department has played in negotiations on the reform of public sector pensions.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer to the hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson) on 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 741W.

Performance Development System

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost incurred by the Department in defending and settling Performance and Development System related cases was in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004 appraisal years.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The Department successfully defended a High Court action brought by the Public and Commercial Services union and recouped its costs.
	Approximately 59,000 was spent in defending and settling six individual Employment Tribunal cases. This figure includes counsel fees.
	This is the total figure, spanning the 2003 and 2004 appraisal years. The information for each separate year is not available as the cases run across the reporting year and the Department's solicitors branch is unable to break the data down.

Post Office Bank Account

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions why the basic Post Office bank account is not able to receive payments through housing benefit and income support benefit cheques.

James Plaskitt: The Post Office card account is a simple account with very limited functions. It was specifically designed to receive payments of benefits and pensions administered by central government.
	The Post Office card account does not have a facility for the account holder to make payments to a third party (i.e. their landlord) by standing order, so is not a suitable account to receive payments of housing benefit or the local housing allowance which is currently being piloted. Most housing benefit customers already have a suitable bank account that can be used to receive their payments from which they can make payments directly to their landlord.
	The Post Office card account was introduced as a stepping stone for those who did not feel that they were yet ready to make use of even a basic bank account. Should someone feel that they now need an account with more facilities then they should consider moving to an account which better suits their needs. Customers who have opened and operated a card account have demonstrated that they are now capable of using a basic bank account. There are a large number of current and basic bank accounts which can be accessed at Post Offices, if this is important to housing benefit recipients.
	DWP cheques are designed for those people who we cannot pay into an account. There is no need for a facility to pay DWP cheques into Post Office card accounts. If customers, including those receiving income support, want to put their money into a card account then we can do this directly for them without needing to issue a cheque.

Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by his Department in 200405 in (i) each (A) nation and (B)region of the UK and (ii) London.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) The DWP conducts regular research to monitor customers and the public views of our services.
	During the last 12 months the cost for these pieces of work has been 86,000.00.
	(b) The DWP has awarded two public relations contracts during the last 12 months.
	For the Age Positive campaign the cost has been 420,000.00. (England 252,00.00, Scotland 84,000.00 and Wales 84,000.00). The cost for the Disability Discrimination Act campaign was 140,000.00.

Race Equality Impact Assessments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Race Equality Impact Assessments his Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy.

Anne McGuire: During the period from April 2004 to March 2005, 19 race equality impact assessments were completed. From April this year up to the end of September we have completed 24. The figures for October and November will be included in the return we undertake for the quarter ending December 2005.
	There have been no major changes in policy as a result of conducting impact assessments; however, as a result we have made more explicit references to diversity principles, particularly in our Human Resource Policies and we have strengthened our monitoring and evaluation processes.
	One area where we are undertaking more work is in relation to the Government's efficiency challenge where we have identified the need, particularly in the London area, to ensure that our proposals meet the needs of ethnic minority customers, particularly those with English as a second language.

Rent Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the national targets are for The Rent Service; and what the performance of offices in South Devon is in relation to those targets.

James Plaskitt: The administration of The Rent Service is a matter for the chief executive, Charlotte Copeland. She will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Charlotte Copeland, dated 12 December 2005
	In reply to your recent parliamentary question about The Rent Service's (TRS) national targets and the performance of offices in South Devon against those targets, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of The Rent Service.
	The information is given in the following table.
	
		
			 Type of determination National target Exeter office1, 2 
		
		
			 Housing benefit   
			 With an inspection 93% within 15 working days 98.9% within 15 working days 
			 Without an inspection 93% within 3 working days 99.7% within 3 working days 
			
			 Pre-tenancy 93% within 4 working days 99.7% within 4 working days 
			
			 Redeterminations 93% within 15 working days 98.2% within 15 working days 
			
			 Fair rents 93% within 40 working days 99.3% within 40 working days 
		
	
	(25)Exeter is the only TRS office in South Devon.
	(26)1 April to 30 November 2005.
	If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

Single Women Pensioners

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many single women pensioners are receiving assistance to bring them up to the minimum pension level, broken down by constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I have placed the requested information in the Library.

Tax Credits

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria were used to select pilot areas for the pilot work search premium scheme for working tax credit partners; what the take-up to date has been; what the duration of the scheme is expected to be; what the cost of the scheme is; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The work search premium for working tax credit partners (WSP/WTCP) was introduced on the 31 October 2005. It will be piloted for two years in 31 wards in eight Jobcentre Plus districts: Birmingham, Blackburn, Bradford, Leicester, London City and East, London North East, London South and Luton.
	The purpose of the pilot is to test whether paying a 20 weekly payment for up to 26 weeks will increase job entries for partners of people claiming WTC who would otherwise have remained unemployed.
	The pilot areas were chosen carefully with the aim of finding a high proportion of people of working age who are not in employment and not claiming benefits.
	The exact criteria were that pilot locations should have an unemployment rate of one and a half times the International Labour Organisation rate of unemployment, and one and a half times the national average of people not claiming benefit or working. In addition, in each ward, the number of people not in employment and not claiming benefit should be greater than 2,500 people.
	The total estimated costs for this pilot are in the table:
	
		 million
		
			  Estimated cost for pilot 
		
		
			 200506 0.86 
			 200607 1.65 
			 200708 1.03 
			 Total 3.54 
		
	
	It is anticipated that around 6,000 people will benefit from the WSP/WTCP over the two years that the pilot is in operation. However, as it was only introduced at the end of October, statistical data will not be available until the end of December.

Winter Fuel Payments

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people received winter fuel payments in each ward in the Vale of Clwyd in 200405.

Stephen Timms: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			 Ward Winter fuel payment recipients 
		
		
			 Bodelwyddan 375 
			 Denbigh Central 345 
			 Denbigh Lower 965 
			 Denbigh Upper/ Henllan 590 
			 Dyserth 520 
			 Llandyrnog 480 
			 Prestatyn Central 940 
			 Prestatyn East 985 
			 Prestatyn Meliden 490 
			 Prestatyn North 1,820 
			 Prestatyn South West 1,025 
			 Rhuddlan 1,125 
			 Rhyl East 1,555 
			 Rhyl South 1,160 
			 Rhyl South East 1,455 
			 Rhyl South West 855 
			 Rhyl West 665 
			 St. Asaph East 460 
			 St. Asaph West 385 
			 Trefnant 550 
			 Tremeirchion 350 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.All wards based on census wardsthose current as at April 2003.
	2.All wards nest within Vale of Clwyd parliamentary constituency except Llandyrnog ward which is also partly within Clwyd West parliamentary constituency.
	3.All benefit counts at ward level are rounded to a multiple of five.
	Source:
	Information Directorate

Young People (Support)

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what financial support is available for young people living independently and participating in further education (a) for the first six months and (b) after six months.

James Plaskitt: It is a matter of record that the policy of both this and previous Governments has been to exclude most, but not all, full-time students from entitlement to housing benefit; since 1990 financial support for those students opting to study full-time has been seen as the responsibility of the education system, rather than the benefit system.
	Those in full-time education are not supported through the benefits system once they reach the age of 19; the age at which child benefit ceases to be payable. Students in vulnerable groups, mainly those with a disability and those with dependent children retain eligibility for income related benefits.
	People in full-time education are not entitled to receive jobseeker's allowance. Successive Governments have taken the view that full-time education is incompatible with the 'work first' nature of the jobseeker's allowance regime. It would be very difficult for someone in full-time education to fully meet the conditions for receipt of jobseeker's allowance.
	Young people who are eligible to claim jobseekers allowance receive, like everyone else, help and support to find work. As unemployment lengthens and getting into work becomes more difficult the help provided becomes more intensive. As part of this, young people become eligible for the new deal after six months unemployment. The new deal provides intensive support through a personal adviser and includes, for those people who do not find work quickly, a number of options, including full-time education and training, to help improve their prospects of finding work. Young people participating in full time education and training as part of the new deal receive an allowance, which is equivalent to their jobseeker's allowance plus a top up of 15.38 per week to cover additional costs incurred through participation. Individuals receiving housing benefit can currently study for qualifications below degree level, as long as it is for less than 16 guided learning hours a week. This is not always a significant barrier as many full time Learning and Skills Council courses are just over 12 guided learning hours a week.

Young People (Support)

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training and guidance is available for Jobcentre Plus advisers for their work with young people living independently.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question concerning what training is provided to Jobcentre Plus advisers to assist them in working with young people living independently. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus has in place a comprehensive programme to support a client's job search activity, and successful movement into employment or further education.
	Advisers receive training on assisting young people via the New Deal for Young People learning package. The focus of this learning is to help staff to support young people's ability to identify realistic job goals, and, if appropriate, a move into further education, as a means of gaining sustainable employment.
	The Jobcentre Plus Adviser training helps them to work closely with Connexions in supporting the claimant with any training needs they may have to enter work.
	I hope this is helpful.

HEALTH

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will respond to the consultation Your Health, Your Care, Your Say.

Liam Byrne: Early in 2006.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has issued on the minimum acceptable distance patients should be expected to travel to reach a hospital with an accident and emergency department.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 20 December 2005
	There is no recommended minimum or maximum patient travelling time to acute hospitals with accident and emergency departments in England.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions for overseas residents took place after 18 weeks' gestation in 200405; and whether her Department requires an anaesthetic or pain killer to be administered to the unborn child before a late abortion takes place.

Caroline Flint: In 2004, 417 terminations were carried out at over 18 weeks' gestation on non-residents of England and Wales.
	The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) issue guidance on clinical matters relating to abortion. For all terminations at gestational age of more than 21 weeks and six days, the RCOG recommends the method chosen should ensure that the foetus is born dead and that consideration is given to use of foetal analgesia and sedation.

Abortion

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were performed in (a) Great Britain and (b) the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority under the Abortion Act, as amended by section 37 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 in each of the last five years; and what percentage were performed to save the life of the mother.

Caroline Flint: The available information is shown in the table.
	Statistics for abortions performed in Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Executive.
	
		Number of abortions and percentage performed to save the life of the pregnant woman(27) for residents of England and Wales and residents of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority, 200004(28)
		
			  England and Wales Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 
			  Total Sections 1(1)(c) and 1(4) of the Abortion Act(27)(percentage) Total Sections 1(1)(c) and 1(4) of the Abortion Act(27)(percentage) 
		
		
			 2004 185,415 0.1 4,831 (29) 
			 2003 181,582 0.1 4,641 (29) 
			 2002 175,932 0.1 4,474 (29) 
			 2001 176,364 0.0 (28)n/a (28)n/a 
			 2000 175,542 0.1 (28)n/a (28)n/a 
		
	
	(27)Section 1(1)(c) that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated. Section 1(4) that the termination is immediately necessary to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.
	(28)Prior to 2002 information was published by health authority and not directly comparable with SHAs
	(29)Suppressed values. Percentages are based on fewer than 10 cases (between 09) and for confidentiality reasons are not available for release

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to review compliance with section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967.

Caroline Flint: We have no plans to review compliance with Section 4 of the Abortion Act and I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 October 2005, Official Report, column 564W.

Acute General Hospitals

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that acute general hospitals retain the full range of medical and surgical specialisms; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The National Health Service Act 1977 places a duty on the Secretary of State to provide a range of facilities and services to such extent as she considers necessary to meet reasonable requirements. The Secretary of State discharges her duties through delegation to local primary care trusts who can contract with national health service trusts, NHS foundation trusts and other healthcare providers for those services. Should an NHS organisation wish to make a significant change or variation to a service then they are required to consult with local stakeholders including the overview and scrutiny committee before reaching a final decision. In addition, the core services of NHS foundation trusts are protected when they achieve foundation status and these services can only be changed if the regulator is satisfied that any changes are in the interests of the NHS. As medical knowledge advances and new ways of working are developed it is inevitable over time that there will be changes in the location of particular services in the interests of patients.

Acute Myocardial Infarction

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the use of the Goldman algorithm in the assessment of suspected acute myocardial infarction.

Caroline Flint: The Department has not made an assessment of the use of the Goldman algorithm. However, the Goldman algorithm was first published in 1988 and has been superseded by other algorithms and protocols in the assessment of suspected acute myocardial infarction.

Agency Staff

Jim Devine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much foundation hospitals paid for agency nursing in 2004.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.
	Information relating to the operational management of national health service foundation trusts can be obtained via the Chairman of each organisation.

Agency Staff

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of agency (a) nurses and (b) doctors in Torbay primary care trust has been since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The Department collects primary care trust expenditure information on non-national health service staff. The table shows the total expenditure of agency nurses and doctors by Torbay primary care trust (PCT) for the period 200001 to 200405. This is the earliest data available as Torbay PCT only came into existence in 2000.
	
		
		
			  Cost of non-NHS nurses Cost of non-NHS doctors 
		
		
			 200001 0 0 
			 200102 0 0 
			 200203 43,601 0 
			 200304 70,887 0 
			 200405 89,000 14,000 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual financial returns of Torbay primary care trust

Agency Staff

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) temporary and (b) agency staff are employed in her Department to perform roles previously carried out by permanent staff who have been made redundant.

Jane Kennedy: No.

Alimta

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the NHS of a course of treatment with the drug Alimta was in the last period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: According to the British National Formulary (BNF), one 500 milligram vial of Alimta costs 800. There is no information in the BNF on the average duration of a course of treatment, this will vary for individuals.

Ambulance Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target is for ambulance response times in Torbay; and what percentage of call-outs have met these targets since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Ambulance response times are set nationally. They are:
	Category A which presents conditions which may be immediately life threatening and which should be responded to within eight minutes irrespective of location in 75 per cent. of cases. A fully equipped ambulance should attend incidents classified as category A within 14 to 19 minutes of the initial call, 95 per cent. of the time, unless the control room decides that an ambulance is not required.
	Category B which presents conditions which though serious are not immediately life threatening and should be responded to within 14 minutes (urban) and 19 minutes (rural) in 95 per cent. of cases.
	Ambulance services are required to take patients to hospital where the need is identified by a doctor as urgent and these patients should arrive at hospital within 15 minutes of the arrival time specified by the doctor in 95 per cent. of cases.
	For category C calls, this presents conditions which are not immediately life threatening or seriouslocal national health service organisations have had responsibility for managing and monitoring the ways in which local services respond to these calls, since 1 October 2004.
	The ambulance review, Taking Healthcare to the Patient: Transforming NHS Ambulance Services was published in June 2005. The review sets out recommendations which include supporting performance improvement and changes to performance requirements. The report is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/ll/42/70/04114270.pdf.
	The percentage of call outs which have met these targets in Torbay is not collected centrally. The data which the Department does collect on ambulance response times is published in the statistical bulletin, Ambulance services, England: 200405. This is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/ll/36/79/04113679.pdf.

Ambulance Service

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NHS consultation document on the reorganisation of ambulance trusts will be issued; when the consultation will (a) start and (b) finish; and whether ambulance trusts will have an input into the drafting of the consultation document.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 12 December 2005
	In accordance with the written ministerial statement of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 15253WS, consultation on the proposed reconfiguration of ambulance trusts began on 14 December 2005 and will finish on 22 March 2006. Strategic health authorities were asked to comment on a draft of the consultation document, and key stakeholders, including ambulance trusts, were involved in the preparation of Taking Healthcare to the Patient: Transforming NHS Ambulance Services, which made the original recommendation for fewer larger trusts.

Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to issue a reply to the Select Committee on the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill [Lords]; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The issues raised in the select committee's report were discussed extensively in a debate in the other place on 10 October, during which my noble Friend Lord Warner gave the Government's contribution.

Avian Influenza

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions the Government has had with other countries regarding the devising of measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza among humans.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is working closely with other countries and international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission (EC), and with other international partners to support international preparedness. We are sharing information on a regional level through events such as the pandemic influenza workshop, jointly hosted by WHO and the EC in Copenhagen in October. As part of its European Union (EU) Presidency responsibilities, the United Kingdom hosted an informal meeting of EU health Ministers in October, at which Ministers stressed the importance of national plans and of EU co-ordination of pandemic preparedness. We are also working on the wider international level through the international partnership on avian and pandemic influenza through such meetings that were co-hosted by WHO, Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the World Organisation for Animal Health in November.

Avian Influenza

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans are in place in East Sussex to combat an avian influenza pandemic; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is important to be clear about the differences between seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu. Avian influenza is a disease which mainly affects birds. Seasonal flu refers to the virus that circulates in the human population and causes widespread illness each winter. Pandemic flu will only occur after an avian virus has mutated into a novel strain which can spread easily between humans and to which they do not have immunity.
	Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority has advised that national health service organisations throughout Surrey and Sussex have robust plans in place to respond to any outbreak of infectious disease. These plans include a contingency response to any infectious pandemic, including avian flu should it ever transfer to human-to-human transmission.

Birth Costs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost was of (a) a home birth, (b) an out of hospital birth and (c) a hospital birth in each NHS trust providing maternity care in 200405; and what assessment she has made of the reference cost for each category of birth.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 December 2005
	The information requested is not collected centrally.
	Reference cost data are collected against three specific health care resource groups: normal delivery with or without complications or co-morbidities, assisted delivery with or without complications or co-morbidities and caesarean section with or without complications or co-morbidities.
	Reference cost data are assessed annually and it is anticipated that 200405 data will be available in the new year.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership Trust

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the policy of theCambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership Trust in relation to direct contact between members of its staff and the media on matters of public concern; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The responsibility for the management of local services lies with the local national health service. It is for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust to plan and develop its own internal and external policies and services to meet the needs of the local population.

Cancelled Operations

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients had their operation cancelled (a) twice, (b) three times, (c) four times and (d) more than four times in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, data on the number of cancelled operations are available on the Department's website at: www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_ requests/cancelled_operations.htm

Children's Diet

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 544W, on children's diet, whether the Food Standards Agency's rolling programme of surveys will collect data on daily calorie intake.

Caroline Flint: Yes. Information on daily energy (calorie) intake by all age groups, including children, will be collected in the rolling programme.

Children's Hospices

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat her policy is for the future support of the respite and terminal care of children with life-limiting illnesses.

Liam Byrne: Primary care trusts (PCTs), working with their local authority partners and stakeholders, remain best placed to decide the level and range of palliative care needed by the children and young people in their locality and are able to respond directly to their needs. We have made a manifesto pledge to increase funding for end of life care and this includes care for children and young people. We will make further announcements on this funding in the near future.
	In our guide Commissioning Children's and Young People's Palliative Care Services, launched on 29 November, we give commissioners important advice about the key aspects of children's palliative care which will improve the quality of commissioning and provision of services. This practical guide will stimulate improvements in commissioning and promote quality care for children young people and their families in a range of settings, for example, palliative care at home, in hospital or in a hospice.
	On 19 October 2005, we announced the setting up of a review of National Health Service Specialised Services. The review, headed by Scotland's former Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir David Carter, will investigate how the NHS currently commissions specialised services and consider ways of tightening these commissioning arrangements so that there is greater consistency across the NHS.
	The review will also look at ways of ensuring PCTs work together to commission specialised services so that the financial risk is shared. It will consider whether the balance is right between PCT commissioning collaboration and a more national or regional commissioning approach. The review team will report in spring 2006.

Cholesterol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of adults in England suffers from high cholesterol according to the Joint Society Guidelines.

Caroline Flint: The new Joint British Societies guidelines on prevention of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice were published on 21 December. They recommend that lipid-lowering therapy should be offered to people with:
	clinical evidence of atherosclerotic cardio vascular disease (CVD);
	diabetes mellitus (type one or two);
	a total CVD risk, greater than 20 per cent. over 10 years;
	elevated blood pressure, greater than 160 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or greater than 100 mm Hg diastolic, or lesser degrees of blood pressure elevation with target organ damage.
	They recommend that the audit standard for this group should be 5.0mmol/litre or less, and that wherever possible the aim should be to reduce cholesterol to 4.0mm/litre or less.
	We do not hold the information in the format requested. However, information from hospital episodes statistics (HES) data for people who suffer from high cholesterol is shown in the table. HES does not hold a standard definition of high cholesterol, which will be clinically determined.
	
		All diagnosis count of finished consultant episodes and patients for high cholesterol.National health service hospitals, England 200405
		
			 Finished consultant episodes Patient counts 
		
		
			 289,052 195,871 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre
	We estimate, from prescribing data, that approximately 2.5 million people in England are on statin therapy for the control of cholesterol levels. Statin prescriptions have been rising at 30 per cent. per year.

Cholesterol

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) whether her Department plans to run a campaign to raise the awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol levels;
	(2)  whether she plans to promote the awareness of the risks of unhealthy levels of cholesterol during the implementation of the Choosing Health White Paper.

Caroline Flint: Currently, the Department has no plans to run a campaign or promote the awareness of the risks of unhealthy levels of cholesterol among the general population. However, as set out in the Choosing Health White Paper, the Department will launch in 2006 a social marketing campaign to increase consumer awareness of the health risks of obesity and promote practical steps that can be taken through diet and physical activity to improve the health of the general population, with an early focus on children.

Cholesterol

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's policy is on those adults with cholesterol levels between 4 mmol/l and 7 mmol/l and not eligible for prescribed statins but who are now deemed to have unhealthy cholesterol levels according to the new Joint British Societies Guidelines.

Caroline Flint: The national service framework for coronary heart disease (NSFCHD) recommends that preventative treatment and lifestyle advice should be offered to patients with established CHD, then to those at a 30 per cent. 10-year risk of developing CHD, with a view to moving on to treating patients at a lower risk once these high-risk groups are treated. One of the key risk factors is high cholesterol and the NSF states that for both groups the target is to use statins and dietary advice to lower serum cholesterol concentrations either to less than 5 millimoles per litre (mmol/litre) or by 30 per cent., whichever is the greater.
	The new general medical service contract includes quality indicators for measuring and managing cholesterol in high-risk groups, such as those with CHD. The target is to reduce cholesterol levels to five mmol/litre or less.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is currently consulting on the final recommendation for its health technology appraisal (HTA) of statins. The HTA will identify the level of risk at which statins should be prescribed by the national health service. Publication is due early in 2006.

Contraception

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to facilitate access to condoms free-of-charge (a) in NHS institutions and (b) through community-based distribution schemes.

Caroline Flint: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for local sexual health and HIV health promotion including the provision of free condoms. The NHS Logistics Authority purchases condoms centrally for distribution by the national health service, although PCTs also purchase them direct from condom suppliers.
	To support PCTs the Department has produced best practice guidance on sexual health promotion which highlights the need to make condoms accessible to those who need them. The need to ensure people have access to free provision of all methods of contraception, including condoms, is also highlighted in Recommended Standards for Sexual Health Services, produced by the Department with the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the letter of 28 October 2005 from the right hon. member for Birmingham, Ladywood on behalf of Dr. Felix Burden.

Jane Kennedy: A reply was sent on Thursday 15 December.

Critical Care Beds

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that plans by NHS trusts to close critical care beds should be subject to public consultation.

Liam Byrne: It is for national health service trusts to assess and manage the number of critical care beds depending on local needs. NHS trusts have various statutory duties of consultation where changes to service provision are being considered and it is a matter for them to determine when these duties arise.

Dentistry

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists per head of population were practising in (a) West Lancashire and (b) England in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS), number of dentists and dentists per population in England and the specified areas as at 30 September each year
		
			  England West Lancashire PCT 
		
		
			 Number of dentists   
			 1997 16,670 41 
			 1998 17,199 46 
			 1999 17,755 44 
			 2000 18,167 45 
			 2001 18,722 49 
			 2002 18,946 47 
			 2003 19,260 52 
			 2004 19,722 55 
			 2005 20,890 58 
			 Dentists per head of population 
			 1997 2,919 2,646 
			 1998 2,839 2,358 
			 1999 2,762 2,465 
			 2000 2,710 2,411 
			 2001 2,641 2,214 
			 2002 2,620 2,313 
			 2003 2,589 2,096 
			 2004 2,540 1,982 
			 2005 2,398 1,879 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The dentists include principals, assistants and trainees. Prison contracts are excluded from the data.
	2.The postcode of the Dental Practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. Primary care trust areas have been defined using the Office of National Statistics All Fields Postcode Directory.
	3.England 2005 data per population has been calculated using 2004 population data, as this is the most up-to-date available.
	4.PCT data per population for 1997 to 2000 has been calculated using 2001 population figures as this is the earliest date at which population data at this area is available.
	5.PCT data per population for 2004 and 2005 have been calculated using 2003 population data, as this is the most up-to-date available at this area.
	6.Data includes all notifications, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 2 November 2005 for England and 19 October 2005 for the PCT. Figures for the numbers of dentists at specified dates may vary depending upon the notification period, e.g. data with a later notification period will include more recent notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are used to assess the need for dental services in primary care trust areas.

Rosie Winterton: Each primary care trust (PCT) has access to the services of a consultant in dental public health, who provides advice on local oral health and the geographical areas that should be a priority for action. The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry surveys provide information on the numbers of decayed missing and filled teeth by PCT area.
	A PCT's ability to respond to local oral health needs will be substantially strengthened by the introduction of local commissioning of primary care dental services from April 2006. PCTs will hold a local budget for dental services. When a dentist leaves the area or reduces his or her national health service commitment, the resources return to the PCT. It is at their discretion to redeploy these resources locally and to agree where new practices are established. This gives the PCT the ability to reflect the oral health needs of their local population in the distribution of NHS primary care dental services.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have left the NHS in each year since 199798 (a) in terms of headcount and (b) as a percentage of the total number of dentists in the NHS (i)in total and (ii) broken down by Strategic Health Authority area.

Rosie Winterton: Details of dentists leaving the national health service, expressed as both a headcount and percentage figure for England (total) and broken down by strategic health authority is shown in the table. A dentist is assumed to have left the NHS if they had an open general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contract in September of the previous year but no GDS or PDS contract in September of the specified year.
	The reasons for dentists leaving the NHS are not recorded by Dental Practice Board. The figures presented will include dentists who have retired from practice and those who have moved to private practice.
	
		General Dental Services (GDS) and Personal Dental Services (PDS)Numbers of complete leavers, and as a percentage of total dentists, in England by strategic health authority area as at 30 September each year
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 
			  Complete leavers % of total dentists Complete leavers % of total dentists Complete leavers % of total dentists Complete leavers % of total dentists 
		
		
			 England 972 6 1,037 6 1,206 7 1,207 6 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 50 6 49 5 68 7 67 7 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 34 5 36 5 41 6 36 5 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 31 4 33 5 46 6 38 5 
			 Cheshire  Merseyside 48 5 48 5 41 4 55 6 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 18 5 17 4 27 7 20 5 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 26 4 34 5 56 8 26 4 
			 Dorset and Somerset 18 4 24 5 25 5 34 7 
			 Essex 37 7 35 6 50 8 53 9 
			 Greater Manchester 44 5 51 5 52 6 44 5 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 30 5 37 6 42 6 51 7 
			 Kent and Medway 65 11 56 9 42 7 59 10 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire  and Rutland 20 4 21 4 35 7 33 7 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 45 6 37 5 57 7 42 6 
			 North and East Yorkshire and  Northern Lincolnshire 25 5 26 5 19 3 23 4 
			 North Central London 53 8 47 7 49 7 52 7 
			 North East London 35 6 29 5 38 6 42 7 
			 North West London 54 5 70 6 88 8 76 7 
			 Northumberland, Tyne  Wear 31 6 30 6 32 6 35 7 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 16 4 20 4 15 3 20 4 
			 South East London 39 6 56 9 43 6 57 9 
			 South West London 47 7 41 6 53 8 57 8 
			 South West Peninsula 32 5 39 6 45 7 54 8 
			 South Yorkshire 21 5 16 4 15 3 25 5 
			 Surrey and Sussex 56 5 67 6 81 7 75 6 
			 Thames Valley 36 4 41 5 50 6 50 5 
			 Trent 45 6 40 5 54 6 59 7 
			 West Midlands South 22 4 29 5 31 6 34 6 
			 West Yorkshire 27 4 44 6 39 5 21 3 
		
	
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 2005 
			  Complete leavers % of total dentists Complete leavers % of total dentists Complete leavers % of total dentists Complete leavers % of total dentists 
		
		
			 England 1,352 7 1,236 6 1,224 6 1,097 5 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 81 9 75 8 50 5 54 5 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 64 8 55 7 39 5 31 4 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 30 4 34 4 33 4 31 3 
			 Cheshire  Merseyside 62 7 40 4 53 5 45 4 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 19 5 14 4 13 3 28 7 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 40 6 44 6 20 3 27 3 
			 Dorset and Somerset 36 7 30 6 40 8 40 7 
			 Essex 41 7 49 9 40 7 28 4 
			 Greater Manchester 55 6 45 5 53 5 38 4 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 49 7 49 7 57 8 43 5 
			 Kent and Medway 50 8 50 8 43 7 68 10 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire  and Rutland 24 5 15 3 18 3 30 5 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 5 56 7 47 6 59 7 59 
			 North and East Yorkshire and  Northern Lincolnshire 32 5 29 5 34 6 33 5 
			 North Central London 58 8 56 8 57 8 36 5 
			 North East London 51 9 39 6 37 6 35 5 
			 North West London 111 11 59 6 64 6 58 5 
			 Northumberland, Tyne  Wear 30 6 36 7 42 8 31 5 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 26 5 22 4 32 6 26 4 
			 South East London 60 9 35 5 54 8 45 6 
			 South West London 66 10 53 8 60 9 34 4 
			 South West Peninsula 60 9 52 7 65 9 47 6 
			 South Yorkshire 20 4 34 7 27 6 18 4 
			 Surrey and Sussex 85 6 108 8 93 7 86 6 
			 Thames Valley 55 6 65 7 62 6 48 4 
			 Trent 50 5 62 7 42 4 48 5 
			 West Midlands South 36 6 30 5 26 4 31 4 
			 West Yorkshire 52 7 41 5 47 6 31 4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Complete leaver means the dentist had an open GDS or PDS contract in September of the previous year but no GDS or PDS contract in September of the specified year.
	2.Percentages are calculated on the number of dentists with an open GDS or PDS contract as at 30 September in the specified year.
	3.The dentist numbers include principals, assistants and trainees. Prison contracts are excluded.
	4.A dentist may have a contract in more than one Strategic Health Authority area. Therefore, data at Strategic Health Authority area may include duplications of dentists leaving.
	England data excludes duplication.
	5.The postcode of the Dental Practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. Strategic health authority areas have been defined using the Office of National Statistics All Fields Postcode Directory.
	6.The numbers of leavers include all notifications, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 8 November 2005.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 17WS, on national health service dentistry, how much Methods Consulting will receive for recruiting 216 dentists from Poland; whether the amount paid has been reduced as a result of the failure to achieve the target of 230; and how many have been offered places in (a) general dental service practices, (b) the salaried primary care dental service and (c) the hospital dental service.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Methods Consulting has exceeded their target for the recruitment of dentists. In total they have recruited 237 dentists from Poland. Of these, 216 started employment before 1 November; 15 dentists started work during November 2005; and a further six dentists will be taking up posts shortly. Therefore, there are no grounds to reduce the value of the 3.8 million contract agreed with Methods Consulting for recruitment of dentists from Poland.
	We do not collect routine information about the type of national health service dental services in which international recruits are working. However, the vast majority of these are working, either in personal dental service (PDS) or general dental service practices. A small number are salaried PDS dentists.

Dentistry

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action she is taking to improve dental services in Ribble Valley;
	(2)  how many NHS dentists are operating in Ribble Valley and Fulwood.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 29 November 2005
	As at 30 September 2005, there were 65 dentists with a general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contract with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley primary care trust, compared with 54 in 2004, an increase of 11. The number of dental practices is 2003 was 23, of which 12 have opened PDS contracts.
	205.5 million funding was allocated to Hyndburn and Ribble Valley primary care trust (PCT). As additional 130,000 was allocated to the PCT to improve access to national health service dentistry.

Dentistry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the length is of the waiting list for an NHS dentist in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Dentistry

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent dentists were practising in England in the NHS (a) in each year since 1997 and (b) the most recent period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: [holding answer 20 December 2005): Information about full-time equivalent dentists is not available because a dentist with a general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contract may provide as little or as much national health service treatment as he or she chooses.
	The numbers of dentists in England with a GDS or PDS contract as at 30 September 2005 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Total GDS and PDS dentists 
		
		
			 1997 16,670 
			 1998 17,199 
			 1999 17,755 
			 2000 18,167 
			 2001 18,722 
			 2002 18,946 
			 2003 19,260 
			 2004 19,722 
			 2005 20,890 
		
	
	Note:
	Data include all notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 2 November 2005.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the age profile of dentists working under NHS contracts; and what assessment she has made of the implications of that age profile for the supply of NHS dental services.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The percentage of general dental services (GDS) dentists by age band and personal dental services (PDS) contracts by age band of dentist, in England, as at 30 June 2005 is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Age band  Percentage of GDS dentists in age band Percentage of PDS contracts in dentist age band 
		
		
			 All ages 100 100 
			 under 30 14 20 
			 3034 14 17 
			 3539 15 15 
			 4044 16 14 
			 4549 15 13 
			 5054 11 10 
			 5559 9 7 
			 60 and over 6 4 
		
	
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board
	The age profile and patterns of retirement were one of the factors that contributed to the analysis of future patterns of supply of dentists in the primary care dental workforce review.

Dentistry

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are registered on the central waiting list held by the Herefordshire primary care trust for assigning NHS dentists in Hereford; and how long each has been waiting since submitting their registration.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Beverley and Holderness are involved in private practice.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Departmental Estate

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid by her Department in rates to each local authority in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each region and (b) London in that year.

Jane Kennedy: The Department and its executive agencies during 200405 paid 5,571,969.
	Rates of 5,571,969 was paid in England. No properties are occupied in any other nation of the United Kingdom.
	This comprises regional totals of:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 North West 123,000 
			 North East 11,240 
			 West Midlands 0 
			 East Midlands 4,881 
			 Eastern 9,000 
			 South West 38,055 
			 South East 102,608 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 1,079,192 
		
	
	Rates of 4,203,993 were paid for the Department's London properties.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether a Minister in her Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Anne McGuire, the Minister with responsibility for disabled people, has overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The Minister for disabled people chairs a cross-government steering group which includes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport, and Department of Trade and Industry. I am the Minister in this Department nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the ODI.
	Launched on 1 December 2005, the Office for Disability Issues is a cross-government unit which supports and reports to the Minister for disabled people who has lead responsibility, in collaboration with colleagues across government, for driving forward the Government's 20-year strategy to improve outcomes for disabled people.

Drug Treatment

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support is given to drug rehabilitation projects which pursue an abstinence approach to drug treatment; and if she will list the projects which have received public funding in 200506.

Caroline Flint: The pooled treatment budget is the Government funding made available for drug treatment and totalled 299.4 million in 200506. These allocations are distributed to primary care trusts, who work with local drug action teams to commission treatment services to best meet the needs of the local community. This should provide an appropriate mix of harm minimisation treatment as well as treatment which favours abstinence. We do not hold lists of treatment services centrally.

East Lancashire NHS Trust

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the financial situation of the East Lancashire Hospital Trust; and what steps her Department has taken to alleviate that situation.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 29 November 2005
	The latest financial year for which audited financial information for all national health service organisations is available is 200405. The audited 200405 year-end financial position for the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust shows a deficit of 4 million. As at month six the 200506 financial year, the trust is forecasting to break even as at 31 March 2005.
	It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities to deliver both financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure that each and every organisation achieves financial balance. There is, however, a degree of flexibility with regard to the way this is managed at a local level.

Eggs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken in the last six months to ensure that eggs imported into the UK meet the same food safety standards as eggs produced in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 20 December 2005
	Eggs sold within the European Union (EU) must meet standards laid down in community legislation. From 1 January 2006, these standards will be incorporated into the consolidated Food Hygiene Regulations.
	The Food Standards Agency has also advised me that they have commissioned two surveys, the first of which started in April 2005, looking into the Salmonella prevalence in eggs produced outside the United Kingdom. The surveys are looking both at eggs sold at retail and at those used by the catering industry. Further information on the surveys can be found on their website:
	www.food.gov.uk/science/surveillance/foodsurvprog.
	All member states are now required to establish plans for controlling Salmonella in laying flocks. Under provisions of the EU zoonoses directive, surveys of laying flocks are currently being undertaken throughout the EU. These will form the basis for targets for reducing the incidence of Salmonella in laying flocks.

Emergency Dental Treatments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 24 October 2005, Official Report, column 174W, on emergency dental treatment, how many finished admission episodes there were for emergency dental procedures in (a) 199798 and (b) 199899.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Count of finished admission episodes, all operations dental procedures in national health service hospitals, England 199798 to 199899
		
			  Finished admission episodes 
		
		
			 199798 4,043 
			 199899 4,319 
		
	
	Notes:
	A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

Foundation Trusts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to permit primary care trusts to take powers along the lines of those vested in NHS foundation trusts.

Liam Byrne: No.

Gershon Review

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who in the Department has been made responsible for achieving the efficiency objectives set for the Department by the Gershon review.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State is responsible for the overall delivery of the health efficiency programme.

General Practitioners' Pay

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of general practitioners' pay was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001, (f) 2002, (g) 2003 and (h) 2004.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General practitioners total pay 1997 to 2004 --  million
		
			  199798 199899 199900 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 GMS Non-Discretionary 2,198 2,243 2,451 2,510 2,288 2,068 1,903 
			 GMS Discretionary 835 878 897 940 857 840 781 
			 PMS n/a 37 84 174 569 1,152 1,939 
			 
			 Total GMS Including PMS spend) 3,033 3,158 3,432 3,624 3,714 4,060 4,623 
			 
			 Percentage change total year on year n/a 4.12 8.68 5.59 2.48 9.32 13.87 
		
	
	Sources:
	1.Up to 200102 data are from the 95 England Health Authorities. For 200102, PCTs were introduced but were only reporting on GMS discretionary expenditure.
	2.200203 spend is based on combined 28 SHA Qtr 12 and Qtr 34 303 PCT spend. Owing to PCTs not having non-discretionary banking rights until September 2003. 200304 spend is based on 304 audited PCT returns.
	3.PMS Pilots funding covers wave 15B funding
	4.PMS spend includes both local transfers from the Unified budget discretionary amounts and GMS non-discretionary transfers.
	5.Discretionary and non-discretionary GMS figures reflect the growth over the period in GP and practice staff numbers, and the rise in pay and expenses.
	6.Note that all figures up to 200102 are based on cash only spend. Due to changes in accounting regulations figures for 200203 and 200304 are resource based.

General Practitioners' Pay

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the projected cost of general practitioners' pay in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, (e) 2009 and (f) 2010.

Liam Byrne: Estimates of general practitioners' pay for the period 2005 and beyond cannot yet be made and will depend on expenditure incurred by primary care trusts during those financial years.

Health and Social Care Act

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice her Department has issued to (a) primary care trusts, (b) strategic health authorities and (c) other NHS organisations on their obligations under Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 in relation to (i) primary care trust mergers and (ii)strategic health authority reconfigurations; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: There is no duty to consult under section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (the 2001 Act) because the strategic health authority (SHA), primary care trust (PCT) and ambulance trust reconfiguration proposals amount to managerial and administrative changes only. However, if there are any proposals to make changes to service provision put forward in the future by the newly reconfigured organisations, there will be a duty on those organisations to involve and consult patients and the public on those proposals under section 11 of the 2001 Act.
	The following regulations apply to the present consultation:
	National Health Service Trusts (Consultation on Establishment and Dissolution) Regulations 1996 (Statutory Instrument (SI) 1996/657) (the 1996 Regulations)
	Primary Care Trusts (Consultation on Establishment, Dissolution and Transfer of Staff) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2337) (the 1999 Regulations)
	Strategic Health Authorities (Consultation on Changes) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1617) (the 2003 Regulations).
	Consultation guidance has been issued to all SHAs. Further to this, we are making it clear to SHAs that when preparing their summaries of the consultation responses, all views generated as a result of the consultation must be taken into account, even where these views vary from the options set out in their consultation document.

Health Care Vacancies

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) three month vacancy rate percentage, (b) three month vacancy number and (c) number of staff in post full-time equivalent was for (i) occupational therapy staff, (ii) speech and language staff, (iii)physiotherapists, (iv) district nurses and (v) health visitors in each strategic health authority in England in (A) 1997, (B) 2001, (C) 2004 and (D) 2005.

Liam Byrne: The information requested for 2001, 2004 and 2005 has been placed in the Library.
	The first national health service vacancy survey was undertaken in 1999 therefore information for 1997 is not available centrally.

Health Protection Agency (Review Panel)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the Rapid Review Panel of the Health Protection Agency undertakes; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The rapid review panel (RRP) has been convened by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at the request of the Department. The RRP provides a prompt assessment of new and novel equipment, materials, and other products or protocols that may be of value to the national health service in improving hospital infection control and reducing hospital acquired infections. The RRP meets every three months and their recommendations are published on the HPA's website at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/rapid_review/default.htm.

Health Services

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust on treating NHS medical patients in the private health sector in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

Health Services

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children from the West Lancashire constituency have (a) attended accident and emergency, (b) had an emergency operation, (c) had an elective operation and (d) attended outpatients at Alder Hey NHS trust in each year between 2000 and 2004.

Liam Byrne: The Health and Social Care Information Centre provides data on hospital episode statistics on its website at www.hesonline.org.uk.

Health Services

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) land and (b) properties belonging to the NHS in West Lancashire has (i) been sold in each year since 2000 and (ii) planned to be sold in (A) 200506 and (B)200607.

Liam Byrne: Information on land and property sold or planned to be sold by the national health service is not held centrally.

Health Spending

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what projected per capita Government spending on health in Wiltshire for 200506 is;
	(2)  what projected per capita Government spending on health in County Durham for 200506 is.

Liam Byrne: The total spend by national health service organisations in Wiltshire and County Durham for 200506 will be reported in the 200506 final accounts, which will be published in autumn 2006.
	The forecasts for 200506 recently published on the Department's publications website are based on un-audited data. The forecasts are available at: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/FreedomOflnformation/ClassesOflnformation/fs/en
	The latest year for which audited financial data are available is 200405. The table shows the spend per head for primary care trusts (PCTs) in Wiltshire and County Durham for 200405.
	
		
		
			 PCT 200405 spend per head 
		
		
			 Kennet and North Wiltshire 917 
			 South Wiltshire 1,045 
			 West Wiltshire 940 
			   
			 Derwentside 1,263 
			 Durham and Chester-le-Street 1,142 
			 Durham Dales 1,251 
			 Easington 1,320 
			 Sedgefield 1,236 
		
	
	Sources:
	2003 based 2004 Office for National Statistics projections
	200405 audited summarisation schedules for PCTs

Health Staffing Costs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) average cost and (b) total cost was of employing (i) consultants, (ii) registrars, (iii) other doctors in training, (iv) general medical practitioners excluding registrars, (v) general medical practitioner registrars, (vi)general practitioner retainers, (vii) qualified nurses, (viii) qualified allied health professionals, (ix) qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff, (x) qualified ambulance staff and (xi) all other professionally qualifiedclinical staff in England in (A) 2000 and (B) 2004; and how many full-time equivalent posts there were in each category in each year.

Liam Byrne: The information available has been placed in the Library.
	Information on average cost and total cost of employing general medical practitioners excluding registrars, general medical practitioner registrars and general practitioner retainers is not held centrally. This is a matter for individual trusts.

Hepatitis C

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the more robust estimates for the prevalence of hepatitis C in England mentioned in the recent Health Protection Agency report will be available.

Caroline Flint: The Health Protection Agency is currently developing an epidemiological model to provide more robust estimates of the prevalence of hepatitis C in England. It is anticipated that the work will be completed in mid-2006. The results will be written up and submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.

Hepatitis C

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff hours per month the Health Protection Agency spent on the surveillance of (a) hepatitis C and (b) HIV/AIDS in 200405.

Caroline Flint: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) records its staffing data as whole-time equivalents (wte) rather than man hours per month.
	The HPA have 5.5 wte working on the surveillance of hepatitis C. The Department is also providing short-term funding for 3 wte to support hepatitis C surveillance.
	The HPA have 18.7 wte working on the surveillance of HIV/AIDS.

Herceptin

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for the funding of (a) the provision of HER2 testing and (b) the prescribing of Herceptin to women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in the 200607 financial year.

Rosie Winterton: The cost of HER2 testing and of prescribing Herceptin will need to be met from the existing settlement agreed with the national health service.
	Roche, the manufacturer of Herceptin, has undertaken to assist the NHS in ensuring that high quality HER2 testing arrangements are put in place, for example through the provision of training for laboratory staff.

Herceptin

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the profits for the manufacturer derived from the prescribing of Herceptin for the treatment of early stage breast cancer will be subject to the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

Jane Kennedy: Herceptin is a branded prescription medicine and is, therefore, subject to the 2005 pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

HIV/AIDS

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department is taking to provide anti-retroviral drugs to young children suffering from HIV/AIDS in England; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Anti-retroviral drugs for the treatment of children with HIV/AIDS in England are provided through the national health service trust delivering the treatment, under the clinical supervision of the specialist paediatrician. Such treatment and care is provided within an inter-disciplinary clinical network.

Hospital Bed Occupancy

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set for hospital bed occupancy; how many beds have been available in general and acute wards in hospitals in Torbay primary care trust in each year since 1997; and what percentage of these were occupied on average in each year.

Caroline Flint: Evidence suggests that the optimal bed occupancy rate is around 82 to 85 per cent. These figures however, are merely a guideline and it is up to the national health service locally to decide how best to manage their services.
	The number of beds that have been made available in general and acute wards in Torbay primary care trust (PCT), and the percentage of these that were occupied on average since 2000 is shown in the table. This is the earliest data available as the PCT only came into existence in 2000. The data are collected on a provider rather than a commissioner basis.
	
		Average daily number of general and acute beds available and occupancy rate, Torbay PCT, 200001 to 200405
		
			  Available Occupancy (percentage) 
		
		
			 200001 0 0.0 
			 200102 0 0.0 
			 200203 50 92.5 
			 200304 54 87.8 
			 200405 54 80.8 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03

Hospital Closures

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the event of closure of (a) Bridgnorth community hospital and (b) Ludlow community ospital, which entity would receive what proportion of the proceeds of divestment of the site on which the hospital operates.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 20 December 2005
	If Bridgnorth hospital or Ludlow hospital were closed and sold, the proceeds would go to the Shropshire county primary care trust (PCT), providing that the open market value of each site at the time was below the PCT's delegated limit of 8 million.

Hospital Closures

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time jobs would be lost if (i) Ludlow community hospital and (ii)Bridgnorth community hospital were closed;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the impact of the closure of (a) Ludlow community hospital and (b) Bridgnorth community hospital on community care services in Shropshire; and what assessment she has made of the financial impact on the relevant local authorities.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 20 December 2005
	This is a matter for the health community in Shropshire. Any proposals for significant changes to the provision of health services in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin will be subject to formal public consultation.

Hospital Discharge (Terminally Ill Patients)

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the financial penalty paid by social services departments for late discharge of hospital patients applies to patients who are diagnosed as terminally ill.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005
	Patients receiving specialist palliative care are excluded from the system of charging for delays in discharge. In addition, many patients who have rapidly deteriorating conditions or who do not have long to live will continue to be the national health service's responsibility and as such will not trigger any payment from social services. The NHS is responsible for ensuring the patient is safe to discharge, however, some patients will have a strong preference to return home to die. If they, or their carer, need a care package, including services from social services which is not in place by their discharge date, social services will be potentially liable for a charge.

Hospital Mergers

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital mergers have taken place over the last five years; what the projected effects on costs of each merger were; and what actual savings have been achieved in each case in the last relevant financial year.

Liam Byrne: 164 national health service trust and primary care trust mergers have taken place in the last five years. A list has been placed in the Library.
	Information is not held centrally on the projected effects or actual savings from each merger.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the (a) total and (b) net cost of (i) integrating the proposed identity card scheme into her Department's IT systems and (ii) the on-going operation of the scheme within her Department.

Liam Byrne: The Department has, in consultation with the identity (ID) cards programme, developed its current best estimate of the cost of using the ID cards scheme to support the services which it oversees and these costs have been incorporated into the business case. The Department is represented on the Ministerial Committee on Identity Cards which oversees the work on benefits planning and realisation.
	In deriving these estimates account has to be taken of the types of use required to support the particular services which the Department oversees. Not all services will require a high degree of integration between the ID cards scheme and other information technology (IT) systems. There are no plans to use ID cards to access the NHS Care Record Service.
	We cannot release the detailed estimated costs for integrating IT systems and the on-going operation of the ID cards scheme within the Department and the services which it oversees at this stage as these elements may be acquired from the market. The estimates are therefore commercially sensitive and to release them may prejudice the procurement process and the Department's ability to obtain value for money from potential suppliers.

Independent Treatment Centres

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated price per procedure paid was to wave 1 independent sector treatment centres in (a) 200304 and (b) 200405; and what the NHS tariff was for each procedure offered by such centres in each year.

Liam Byrne: The price per procedure paid to wave 1 independent sector treatment centres is commercially confidential.
	National health service tariff data for 200304 and 200405 is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/FinanceAndPlanning/NHSFinancialReforms/NHSFinancialReformsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID= 4065325chk=qI6yXO
	and at
	www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/09/15/31/040491531.pdf.
	However, the data are not comparable with independent sector contracts as they have to cover a range of costs, which are not applicable to the NHS. NHS equivalent cost, which does take into account the range of additional costs incurred by independent sector providers, is used to provide a direct comparison between the services procured from the independent sector and the NHS. Details of equivalent cost by procedure cannot be disclosed as it would undermine future commercial negotiations. However, the overall cost for wave 1 schemes in 200304 and 200405 was less than the NHS equivalent.

Independent Treatment Centres

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been contracted for at each independent treatment centre; of what type; and how many operations each centre has carried out.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Activity to October 2005 
			 Scheme Casemix Interim/full service commencement date Contract end date Total FFCEs(30) Procedures Diagnostics 
		
		
			 Ophthalmic Chain Ophthalmology 1 February 2004 25 January 2009 44,737 18,389  
			 East Cornwall General Surgery, Urology, Trauma and orthopaedics, Ear, nose and throat, Oral surgery, General medicine, Gastroenterology, cardiology, Dermatology, Thoracic medicine, Rheumatology, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Dietetics, Physio assessment, Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery 1 October 2005 (interim start date) 26 January 2006 31 March 2010 26,767 22  
			 East Lincolnshire Ophthalmology,urology, hernias, varicose veins, colonoscopies and minor skin 20 April 2005 31 March 2010 7,263 437  
			 West Lincolnshire Ophthalmology, gastroscopies, colonoscopies, orthopaedic, urology and minor skin 1 April 2005 31 March 2010 6,365 351  
			 North Oxford (Horton) General Surgery, Urology, Trauma and orthopaedics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Oral surgery, Plastic Surgery, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Gynaecology 1 January 2006 31 March 2010 11,197   
			 North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire General Surgery, Trauma and orthopaedics 1 July 2005 (interim start date) 25 January 2006 31 March 2010 9,964 154  
			 Southampton Orthopaedics 1 April 2005 31 March 2010 12,317 652  
			 Northumberland Upper scopes, hernias, varicose veins, minor skin 25 May 2005 31 March 2010 10,080 316  
			 Thames Valley General Surgery, Urology, Trauma and orthopaedics, Dermatology, Gynaecology 1 April 2005 (interim start date) 1 August 2006 31 March 2010 14,072 386  
			 West Surrey Subject to negotiation  
			 Kidderminster Orthopaedics and general surgery 1 February 2005 31 January 2010 9,000 966  
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Orthopaedics 1 June 2006 31 May 2011 24,817   
			 Nottingham Orthopaedic, Gynaecology, General surgical, Dermatology, Endoscopies 1 December 2007 30 November 2012 110,700   
			 Maidstone Surgical Centre Chemotherapy, minor surgery and diagnostics 25 September 2006 24 November 2011 12,112   
			 Outer North East London Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, ENT, Oral, General Surgery, Urology 1 December 2006 30 November 2011 55,345   
			 Brighton Orthopaedics 1 February 2005 (interim start date) 12 June 2006 31 May 2011 27,479 2,451  
			 Wycombe Diagnostics only (MRI, x-ray, echo and ultrasound) 1 August 2005 31 July 2010 74,880  1,505 
			 Medway General Surgery, Gastroenterology, ENT, Gynaecology, Ophthalmic, Orthopaedics, Plastics, Urology, Oral Surgery, Ultrasound scansgeneral, Ultrasound scansdoppler, CT scans, MRI scans, Plain films and x-rays, Fluoroscopy 3 October 2005 30 September 2010 19,770 72  
			 Portsmouth Walk in centre/minor injuries unit, day surgery, diagnostics, ophthalmology 1 December 2005 31 December 2010 34,155   
			 Havant Diagnostics only 1 January 2008 31 December 2010 78,600   
			 Lister Surgical centre Paediatrics, paediatrics ENT, endoscope, urology, ophthalmology, gynaecology and other specialities 1 October 2007 1 October 2012 15,612   
			 Hemel Hampstead Surgical centre Paediatrics, paediatrics ENT, endoscope, urology, ophthalmology, gynaecology and other specialities 1 October 2007 1 October 2012 13,943   
			 Bradford General Surgery, Gastroenterology, ENT, Gynaecology, Ophthalmic, Orthopaedics, Plastics, Urology, Oral Surgery, Ultrasound scans general, Ultrasound scansdoppler, CT scans, MRI scans, Plain films and x-rays, Fluoroscopy 1 July 2005 30 June 2010 27,416 846 4,784 
			 Trent and South Yorkshire Orthopaedic, MRI, CT scans 1 April 2005 31 March 2010 22,000 4,412  
			 Daventry Ophthalmology, Upper GI endoscopies, Sigmoidscopy, Orthopaedics Dermatology, Urology 1 October 2003 30 September 2006 5,959 4,580  
			 Shepton Mallet Orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery and endoscopy 15 July 2005 14 July 2010 56,242 1,647  
			 Greater Manchester Orthopaedic, general surgery and ENT 19 May 2005 18 May 2010 44,863 1,899  
			 Plymouth Orthopaedics 3 May 2005 2 May 2010 2,938 1,382  
			 General Supplementary 1 Orthopaedic, ophthalmic, general surgery, ENT, plastic surgery 25 May 2004 30 June 2005 25,000 26,540  
			 General Supplementary 2 Orthopaedic, general surgery 1 July 2005 1 December 2005 12,167 12,837  
			 MRI MRI diagnostic scanning 16 July 2004 15 July 2009 630,000  82,450 
			 Chlamydia 1624 year old screening 14 November 2005 To be confirmed To be confirmed   
			 Commuter walk-in Centres Primary care 17 November 2005 Various 2.1 million   
		
	
	(30)FFCEsA first finished consultant episode is a first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

Infant Readmissions (Norfolk)

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies from the Southern Norfolk primary care trust area were re-admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital with feeding problems in each month since January 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

Influenza

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the use of common blood-pressure drugs in tackling outbreaks of influenza.

Caroline Flint: The treatment of raised blood pressure is not related to the treatment for influenza. There is no logical basis for investigating the effect of blood pressure treatments on influenza.

Influenza

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population of (a) Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands can be inoculated against influenza and other viral infections with retro-virus from existing stocks should there be a health emergency; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There is currently sufficient annual influenza vaccine to protect all at risk groups throughout the United Kingdom. In the event of the emergence of a novel influenza or other viral strain representing a significant health risk to humans, any decisions on immunisation would depend on subsequent vaccine development and availability.

Influenza

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department's modelling for the number of extra patients in each primary care trust during an influenza pandemic includes an estimate of the number of people presenting in primary care who fear they may have the virus but do not.

Rosie Winterton: Modelling undertaken by the Department and published in the UK influenza pandemic contingency plan looked at the demand for healthcare contacts assuming similar numbers to those with clinical symptoms will require some contact with the health care system. However, the plan also acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding these figures, as we cannot know for definite how many people will fall ill with influenza in a pandemic, as it will depend on the nature of the virus.
	We have published operational guidance and a framework for antiviral distribution to help national health service organisations develop plans appropriate for their area. We are working to ensure that the patients who become ill with pandemic flu are given the treatment they need. We are developing plans to deliver this treatment with minimum disruption to normal primary care. We know that primary care will be under pressure from patients who are concerned that they or their families may become infected with pandemic influenza.
	The Department's communications plan has been published as annex 1 of the UK influenza pandemic contingency plan, which is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu. The primary aim of the communications plan is to convey accurate, timely and consistent advice to the public and health professionals, and to aid understanding of the pandemic amongst the general population.
	If pandemic flu reaches the United Kingdom, there will be an announcement in the newspapers and on the radio and television. Advice will be given on the best course of action to take in order to minimise unnecessary healthcare contacts.

Influenza

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the risk of excess deaths from seasonal influenza if, in the event of an influenza pandemic, manufacturers switch from seasonal influenza vaccine production to the production of a pandemic vaccine.

Caroline Flint: Any switch from the production of seasonal flu vaccine to the production of pandemic flu vaccine will be carefully assessed to ensure that this will provide the public with the best protection from flu. It is not possible to make an assessment of any impact this may have on excess deaths resulting from seasonal flu as we do not know at what time of the year pandemic flu will start to circulate and whether seasonal flu will be circulating at the same time.

Influenza

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that the supply of influenza vaccinations in England will be adequate to meet demand during the winter.

Caroline Flint: The Department wrote to general practitioners (GPs) on 23 November to find out what their needs were, to check that enough stocks were left to meet the needs of any remaining flu clinics, and to identify whether any surgeries are holding surplus stocks of vaccine. Primary care trust flu immunisation co-ordinators have already been requested to work with surgeries to redistribute any surplus stocks, where possible. The Department has also ordered an additional 800,000 doses of vaccine for distribution to any GPs that run out. These additional stocks will arrive in January 2006.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons manufacture of the winter influenza vaccine has been delayed.

Caroline Flint: Some suppliers delayed delivery of their flu vaccine due to problems with part of the manufacturing process.

Influenza

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on advertising the winter influenza vaccine in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Spend on publishing and advertising the winter flu programme, 200001 to 200405
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200001 4.31 
			 200102 1.45 
			 200203 2.4 
			 200304 1.95 
			 200405 1.91

Influenza

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has been informed that any primary care trust has a shortage of influenza vaccines.

Caroline Flint: We wrote to all primary care trust flu co-ordinators on 3 November with details of how to order vaccine from centrally held Department of Health contingency stock should they need to.

Influenza

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the merits of including people with mental health problems within the priority groups for influenza vaccination;
	(2)  for what reasons mental health patients are not included in the at-risk categories of those eligible to receive vaccinations for influenza.

Caroline Flint: The groups recommended to receive influenza vaccination are based on clinical risk. Individuals with mental health problems can have both physical or mental disabilities. Not all people with mental health problems will therefore be at an increased risk from influenza infection and those that are will likely fall within one of the existing clinical groups.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what month her Department recommends that general practitioner practices place their order for winter influenza vaccine for seasonal influenza; and when her Department informed general practitioners that the seasonal influenza vaccination programme would be extended to cover (a) people with chronic liver disease and (b) people who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not recommend a specific date for general practitioners (GPs) to place their orders for seasonal flu vaccine. GPs contract individually with manufacturers to supply vaccine and they decide when to order their supplies.
	The chief medical officer wrote to GPs on 25 July 2005 to inform them that the seasonal flu vaccination programme would be extended to cover people with chronic liver disease and people who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Influenza

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances she would seek to impose restrictions on movement of people in order to reduce the risk of spread of pandemic influenza from human to human.

Rosie Winterton: Travel restrictions are one of theoptions that may be considered to try to reduce the spread of pandemic influenza, particularly during the initial stages. Any decision will be based on evidence of the possible impact and will be informed by emerging information about the nature of the virus and the at-risk groups.

Influenza

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people in (a) West Lancashire constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) England who have requested an influenza vaccination this winter but have not yet received one.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Influenza

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat proportion of the at-risk population of (a) the West Lancashire primary care trust area, (b) Lancashire and (c) England is expected to be inoculated against existing strains of influenza by 31 December.

Caroline Flint: Information on seasonal flu uptake by primary care trust will not be available until February 2006.
	Based on provisional data from England, it is likely that seasonal flu uptake will increase in those aged 65 years and over, and in other risk groups when compared. The Department will have further information on this in the next year.

Influenza

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people in at-risk groups who have been unable to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccination in each London borough; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Information Technology

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent on information technology systems in the NHS in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 10 November 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Monday 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 106364W.

Isabel Healthcare

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department plans to meet representatives of Isabel Healthcare; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Departmental officials have met with representatives of Isabel Healthcare in the past, but there are no current plans for a further meeting.

Latex Allergy

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements she has made to monitor response by NHS trusts to the National Patient Safety Organisation's recent information notice on latex allergy.

Jane Kennedy: The National Patient Safety Agency's (NPSA) patient safety information on protecting patients with an allergy associated with latex was issued to national health service trusts on 26 May 2005. As it built on existing guidance, this served as a reminder to NHS organisations to put in place policies regarding latex. The deadline for the completion of the recommended action is 27 January 2006.
	The information was issued via the Department's safety alert broadcast system (SABS) which is a means of electronically issuing nationally endorsed safety guidance to the NHS.
	There are a number of measures to monitor responsesby NHS trusts to the National Patient Safety Organisation's recent information notice on latex allergy. These include the following:
	SABS will receive feedback from relevant trusts on their compliance with the action required.
	The NPSA intend will be undertaking an e-mail sample survey in May 2006.
	The Healthcare Commission will be reviewing and assessing NHS organisations against core standard Cl which requires them to ensure that patient safety notices, alerts and other communications concerning patient safety which require action are acted upon within required timescales. Trusts are required to submit self-declarations on performance against this standard (and other core standards) in April 2006.

Leicestershire Acute Hospital Trust

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average length of stay is for patients in (a) acute trusts and (b) Leicestershire Acute Hospital Trust; and what the upper quartile length of stay is for all trusts;
	(2)  if she will list the acute hospital trusts which achieved upper quartile performance on patient stays across (a) all specialties, (b) all sites and (c) all specialties and all sites in 200405.

Liam Byrne: The average length of stay for all acute trusts and University Hospitals of Leicester national health service trust is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Trust Average (mean) length of stay 
		
		
			 All acute trusts (England) 5.6 days 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 5 days 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, Health and Social Care Information Centre 200304: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data; that is, the data is ungrossed.
	Data are only available by trust, not hospital site. There are 64 main specialty groupings and no trust is in the upper quartile of all trusts for length of stay in all specialties. About 96 per cent. of trusts have at least one speciality in the upper quartile for that speciality.

Management and Administration Savings

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each strategic health authority will be required to save in order to achieve her target of 250 million savings in management and administration; over what time these savings will need to be achieved to meet her target; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The target 250 million savings in national health service management and administration costs represents a real recurrent reduction in the cost of management and administration, the savings from which are to be re-invested in patient services recurrently from 200809.
	The target 250 million savings will be distributed on a fair share basis across strategic health authorities (SHAs). It is for each SHA to determine a methodology for distributing their target saving between the SHA and the primary care trusts in its area. A fair share approach for distribution to SHAs has the advantages of simplicity and it ensures that re-distribution of savings to clinical services will be spread evenly across the country. The distribution of savings required is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Strategic health authority Percentage share  millions 
		
		
			 Avon, Gloucester and Wiltshire 4.0 10 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 2.9 7 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 4.9 12 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 5.2 13 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 2.5 6 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 4.0 10 
			 Dorset and Somerset 2.3 6 
			 Essex 3.0 7 
			 Greater Manchester 5.6 14 
			 Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 3.3 8 
			 Kent and Medway 3.0 8 
			 Leicester, Northampton and Rutland 2.7 7 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge 4.0 10 
			 North Central London 2.9 7 
			 North East London 3.6 9 
			 North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 3.1 8 
			 North West London 4.2 10 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 3.1 8 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 2.8 7 
			 South East London 3.5 9 
			 South West London 2.7 7 
			 South West Peninsula 3.1 8 
			 South Yorkshire 2.8 7 
			 Surrey and Sussex 5.0 13 
			 Thames Valley 3.7 9 
			 Trent 5.1 13 
			 West Midlands South 2.8 7 
			 West Yorkshire 4.3 11 
			 Total 100.0 250

Marijuana

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on the medical use of marijuana in the NHS.

Caroline Flint: The Government have made it clear it would be willing to legalise the scientifically established medicinal use of a medical preparation of cannabis, and would seek Parliament's agreement to make any necessary changes to the law to enable the prescription of cannabis-based medicine for the purposes of relieving pain. However, this could not take place before the granting of product approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
	The cannabis-based medicine Sativex has recently been granted a marketing authorisation in Canada where it has been licensed for the relief of neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis under the terms of a conditional licence. Home Office Ministers have recently made clear that imports from Canada of Sativex will be allowed under licence issued by the Home Office.

Media Monitoring

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthif she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the use of broadcast and print media analysis.

Jane Kennedy: The Department commissions analysis of print media coverage to enables us to measure the impact of our communication activities and plan effective future activity. This is a standard part of best practice in communications in both the public and private sectors as it enables us to measure the impact of our communication activities and so helps us manage future activity more effectively.
	In August 2005, the Department published summaries of its national and regional media evaluation and has promised to repeat this every six months as part of its wider commitment to freedom of information. The Department uses its analysis as above, including highlighting inaccuracies in health reporting that can be harmful to public health and sharing analysis with local national health service communication teams, who use it to benchmark the effectiveness of their own activities.
	The Department does not, as yet, analyse broadcast media coverage in depth, although judgments are made based on past coverage about the best way to serve broadcast journalists covering health stories.

Medical Careers

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of the medical careers reforms on the ability of senior house officers to secure employment in the NHS.

Liam Byrne: There is no intention to reduce the number of training posts for junior doctors as a result of the proposed modernising medical careers changes (MMC) to the structure of training programmes. MMC aims to improve patient care by delivering a modernised and focused career structure for doctors and a successful start was made with the introduction of foundation programmes in August 2005.

Medical Graduates

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the mechanisms for matching medical graduates to training slots in the NHS.

Liam Byrne: The process for appointment to foundation programmes, the first posts undertaken by medical graduates, is available on the modernising medical careers website at www.mmc.nhs.uk.

Mental Health

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision her Department has made for a 24-hour telephone support service for the mentally ill and their families.

Rosie Winterton: In the statutory sector, NHS Direct provides a 24-hour, seven day a week telephone helpline service and its fully-trained staff respond to about 325,000 calls per year from people with mental health issues. NHS Direct works in close partnership with the member organisations of the Mental Health Helplines Partnership (MHHP).
	The Department has committed funding of 5 million during the period 200405 to 200607 on developing an infrastructure to facilitate voluntary and community sector mental health helpline providers in England working in partnership in order to achieve increased quality, efficiency, capacity, governance, choice and access in relation to the provision of mental health helpline services. The MHHP includes the majority of the major national and local voluntary and community sector mental health telephone helpline providers (around 50 plus) excluding membership organisations. MHHP member organisations jointly handle over 5 million telephone calls or contacts per year. MHHP member organisations jointly respond to 99 per cent. of all calls made to mental health helplines.
	The MHHP is currently in the procurement stage of purchasing a telecommunications solutions package that will enable MHHP members to work more efficiently in terms of call-switching between MHHP members and to work towards overall 24-hour provision of MHHP helpline services and, therefore, improve the overall level of service provision to people with mental health issues.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people, other than the organisers, attended each of the consultation events that formed part of the race equality impact assessment of the Mental Health Bill; and how many of these were black and minority ethnic service users;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the extent to which the race equality impact assessment consultation on the Mental Health Bill satisfied Commission for Racial Equality guidance on the conduct of such assessments;
	(3)  whether she has extended the duration of the race equality impact assessment consultation on the draft Mental Health Bill.

Rosie Winterton: We have consulted widely as part of the race equality impact assessment (REIA) on the Mental Health Bill in the past few months. Consultation events were held in Leeds, Birmingham and London in early November. Approximately 180 people attended these events, excluding organisers and speakers, and around a third of these were service users, mostly of a black and minority ethnic background (BME) background. Other attendees included BME carers, mental health professionals and voluntary organisations representing BME service users and carers.
	Other consultations included:
	establishing an advisory group of stakeholders and experts in the field, which has provided its own recommendations, based on existing consultation material on the Bill, and on the basis of a workshop with stakeholders that was held in July;
	interviews and focus groups with detained patients, of which around 80 per cent, were BME patients, conducted on behalf of the Department by the Mental Health Act Commission;
	written submissions from the Mental Health Act Commission's service user panel, which included BME and non-BME patients;
	a written consultation with professional groups who will be operating the Bill; and
	a web-based opportunity for people to submit their own comments and views on the issues that have arisen out of earlier consultation.
	We have also taken account of the views expressed in previous consultation on the Bill, including evidence submitted to the pre-legislative scrutiny committee.
	We have, however, listened to stakeholders' views and agreed that there should be further consultation as part of the REIA on the Bill. We will be discussing with stakeholders what further consultation should be undertaken.
	The process we have followed in undertaking the REIA has had close regard to the Commission for Racial Equality's (CRE's) guidance. Officials and CRE staff met early in the process to discuss the guidance. We have also seconded, part-time, a former CRE employee who is familiar with the REIA guidance to work on the REIA, and we have also involved the Home Office race equality unit, which has the lead across Whitehall for REIA work. We will continue to take the CRE guidance into account in any further work on the REIA and we are confident that the REIA which we publish alongside the Bill, when this is introduced, will satisfy the guidance.

Mental Health

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children and young adults suffered from depression in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The information is not available in the form requested.
	In 2004, it was estimated that 2.4 per cent. of five to 10-year-olds and five per cent. of 11 to 16-year-olds had an emotional disorder. Emotional disorders in this context include depression, generalised anxiety, social and other phobias, and separation anxiety.
	Source:
	Mental health of children and young people in Great Britain 2004, Office of National Statistics, 2005, www.statistics.gov.uk.

Mental Health

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Department has taken to identify depression in children and young adults.

Liam Byrne: The Department submitted a proposal to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop guidelines on the identification and treatment of depression in children and young people. These guidelines were published by NICE in September 2005 and include advice on detection and recognition of depression. The document, Depression in children and young people is available on NICE'S website at www.nice.org.uk.

Mental Health

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services are available to families with children who suffer from depression.

Liam Byrne: Child and adolescent mental health services are available in all areas nationally and will routinely treat children with depression and provide support to their families.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to be in a position to present the Mental Health Bill to Parliament.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) on 21 October 2005, Official Report, columns 128687W.

Mental Health

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for publication of the findings of the Mental Health Bill Race Equality Consultation; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The race equality impact assessment (REIA) on the Mental Health Bill will incorporate the issues that arise out of consultation, and set out the plans to mitigate any concerns about the potential for adverse impact. We will publish the REIA alongside the Bill when it is introduced.

Mental Health

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding was allocated in (a) Chorley and (b) Lancashire for mental health services in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally. Allocations are made direct to primary care trusts who are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local populations.

Methadone

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has issued on the prescription of methadone in prisons; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Prison Service Order 3550, Clinical Services for Substance Misusers includes the provision that prisons will have evidence-based guidelines on maintenance prescribing, including methadone prescribing, in line with departmental guidelines.

Minimally-invasive Technologies

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to encourage the use of minimally-invasive technologies in the NHS, with particular reference to (a) the training of staff in the use of such technologies and (b) building incentives into the system of payment by results.

Liam Byrne: The Department recognises that the use of minimally-invasive technologies can be effective in improving outcomes for patients, including through reduced length of time in hospital and reduced pain and scarring after surgery.
	Setting curricula for health professional training is the responsibility of the statutory and professional bodies. The Department shares their commitment to ensure that all health professionals are trained to have the skills and knowledge they need to deliver high-quality health care to the population. This would include training in the use of minimally-invasive technologies.
	Post-registration training needs for national health service staff are determined against local NHS priorities, through appraisal processes and training needs analyses informed by local delivery plans and the needs of the service. Local authorities and health service providers decide how best to provide services to meet the needs of individuals.
	The Royal College of Surgeons has started a programme of work to train clinicians in minimally-invasive surgical techniques and are currently in discussions with the Department to examine the options.
	The current payment by results programme takes account of the impact of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals when calculating an uplift on average reference costs for the national tariff. For example, the 200405 tariff included an uplift for the costs of implementing a NICE appraisal of drug eluting stents, which was published in October 2003. The combination of incentives under payment by results and patient choice will reward providers that attract people by responding to their needs and preferences.

Minor Illness Injury Units

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether patient group directions cover practices in minor illness injury units; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 19 December 2005
	Patient group directions can be used in any national health service service, including minor injury units.
	Patient group directions may be used to supply and administer medicines to patients by certain registered health care professionals, for example, nurses, pharmacists or ambulance paramedics. They may be used in the NHS including those services which are funded by the NHS but provided by the private, voluntary or charitable sectors. They may also be used by independent hospitals, agencies and clinics registered under the Care Standards Act, prison health services, police services and the defence medical services.

Necrotising Fasciitis

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire, (d) Greater London and (e) England have (i) contracted and (ii) died of necrotising fasciitis in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Under-Secretary with responsibility for community care, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne) gave the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 6 December 2005, Official Report, columns 123031W.

NHS Bursaries

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the amount of time student nurses wait for their NHS bursaries.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 1233W to the hon. Member for Billericay (Mr. Baron).

NHS Bursaries

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons eligible students who apply for NHS bursaries in advance do not receive their bursaries before their courses start.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The NHS Student Grants Unit does not release any funds to students until universities have confirmed that students have turned up on the first day of their course, in order to avoid fraudulent claims.

NHS Commissioning

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis of payment to the provider of management services to a primary care trust will be under the reforms proposed by Commissioning a Patient-led NHS where that provider is (a) an NHS team, (b) a voluntary sector body and (c) a private sector body.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 October 2005
	As part of the proposals for primary care trust (PCT) reconfiguration, one strategic health authority (SHA) proposed to procure an external management team to run one of their newly proposed PCTs. However, this proposal will not be considered during the forthcoming local consultation as it is for the new PCTs, not the current SHAs, to decide how best to manage their responsibilities after reconfiguration.
	In the event of a PCT in future wishing to outsource some aspect of their management services they would need to use recognised contracting processes and ensure proper value for money irrespective of the source of those services. They would not be able to outsource or delegate the public accountability for the financial responsibility placed on them as a statutory body.

NHS Commissioning

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with Mr. Roy Lilley on opportunities for the independent and voluntary sector arising from the proposals set out in SirNigel Crisp's paper on commissioning a patient-led NHS.

Liam Byrne: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions with Mr. Roy Lilley on this issue.

NHS Direct

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with representatives of NHS Direct staff on regrading of staff due to restructuring of the service.

Liam Byrne: The Department has had no such discussions with representatives of NHS Direct staff. NHS Direct special health authority is responsible for staffing matters and will be able to provide information on their consultative process with staff.

NHS Direct

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have used NHS Direct in each year since its introduction, broken down by region.

Liam Byrne: Information is not collected centrally on the number of people who have used NHS Direct in each region.
	Information from 199899 onwards on the number of calls received nationally and the number of visits to NHS Direct Online are available in the statistical supplement to the chief executive's report to the national health service, which is available at www.dh.gov.uk.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether there is a correlation between NHS organisations' deficits and the number of agency staff they employ.

Liam Byrne: We do analyse agency spend and deficits, but deficits are usually due to poor performance across a range of areas leading to inefficiency rather than one single factor.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the NHS net financial deficit in 200405 was financed, broken down by area of her Department's activity from which funds were diverted to meet that deficit.

Liam Byrne: The NHS Litigation Authority declared reductions to provisions for clinical negligence during 200405. These central savings were used to offset the national health service deficit.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of NHS income from charges was in 200405; and how much was accounted for by income from (a) fees and charges from health authorities, (b) fees and charges from district health authorities, (c) road traffic accident income, (d) fees and charges from NHS trusts, (e) NHS Supplies Authority fees, (f) dental charges, (g) prescription charges, (h) nursing home inspection fees, (i) subsidised dried milk, (j) Medicines Control Agency licences and inspections, (k) youth treatment service income, (l) NHS Pension Agency fees, (m) Medical Devices Agency fees, (n) Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority licence fees, (o) English National Board for Nursing registration fees and (p) other charges.

Liam Byrne: National health service income figures from fees and charges are shown in the table. The table includes fees and charges to bodies outside the NHS, charges to private and overseas patients and charges to NHS patients.
	The only charges to NHS patients are those for dental and prescription charges.
	
		Breakdown of NHS income from charges by charge type 200405
		
			 Charges  million 
		
		
			 (a) Strategic health authorityfees and charges 33.7 
			 (b) District health authorities (31) 
			 (c) Road traffic accident income 110.3 
			 (d) NHS trustsfees and charges 669.4 
			 (e) NHS Logistics fees 1.0 
			 (f) Dental charges 451.8 
			 (g) Prescription charges 424.6 
			 (h) Nursing home inspection fees  
			 (i) Subsidised dried milk  
			 (j) Medicines Control Agencylicences and inspections (31) 
			 (k) Youth treatment service income (31) 
			 (l) NHS Pensions Agency fees 0.6 
			 (m) Medical Devices Agency fees (31) 
			 (n) Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authoritylicence fees 4.1 
			 (o) English National Board for Nursingregistration fees (31) 
			 (p) Other 316.1 
			 Total 2,011.6 
		
	
	(31)Organisations no longer exist.
	(a)Health authorities became strategic health authorities in 200203. Figures include fees and charges for primary care trusts.
	(e)Previously the NHS Supplies Authority.
	(h)From April 2002, the National Care Standards Commission regulated nursing homes. Health authorities no longer collect the fee income.
	(i)Not collected after 200203 (following a review with the NAO to eliminate non-material items).
	(p)Information relating to charges for private patients and overseas visitors has been provided for NHS trusts and primary care trusts.
	Source:
	Information on fees and charges has been provided from the audited accounts of the relevant NHS bodies.

NHS Reconfiguration

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the total cost of structural reorganisations to primary care trusts and strategic health authorities as set out in her Department's letter of 28 July on commissioning a patient-led NHS.

Liam Byrne: Ministers have given the go-ahead for all 28 strategic health authorities (SHAs) to begin local consultations on boundary changes to SHAs and primary care trusts. Consultations started on 14 December for a period of 14 weeks (until 22 March). No decisions on boundary changes will be taken until these local consultations have been completed and their outcomes considered by Secretary of State. Once boundary changes are agreed and new organisational structures determined, the cost of the structural reorganisation can be calculated.

NHS Settlement

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the 6.1 billion increase in Total NHS Settlement for 200405 was spent on (a) additional or increased salaries, (b) employers national insurance contributions and (c) additional pension contributions and costs; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table. We cannot determine what proportion of the 6.1billion was spent on additional pension scheme contributions and costs. From 200304 to 200405, employer pension scheme contributions rose from 3.588 billion to 3.890 billion, subject to audit.
	
		Staff costs expenditure, by English strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and NHS trusts -- 000
		
			  200304 200405 Increase 
		
		
			 Salaries and wages 25,432,668 25,501,898 69,230 
			 Social security costs 1,794,765 1,868,389 73,624 
			 Pension costs 1,359,634 2,721,225 1,361,591 
			 Total staff costs 28,587,067 30,091,512 1,504,445 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures for NHS foundation trusts are not included in 200405 as the Department does not collect data from foundation trusts.
	2.Salaries and wages: this is the total gross pay of all full and part-time employees. Social security costs: this is the total employer's national insurance contributions net of statutory maternity pay deductions. Pension costs: this is the employer's pension scheme contributions.
	Sources:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the NHS trusts 200304 and 200405
	Audited summarisation schedules of the primary care trusts 200304 and 200405
	Audited summarisation forms of the strategic health authorities 200304 and 200405

NHS Settlement

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will break down the NHS Settlement for 200506 allocated to centrally funded initiatives by main budget heading; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will break down the NHS Settlement for 200506 allocated to other programmes (including DH Admin) by main budget heading; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Disposition of programme funds 200506  millions 
		
		
			 Revenue  
			 Centrally funded initiatives services and special allocations 12,518 
			 Personal social servicescentrally financed services 259 
			 Personal social servicesgrants 1,892 
			 Central health and miscellaneous services 1,135 
			 Family health services non discretionary 1,660 
			 Department of Health administration 249 
			 Total 17,713 
			   
			 Capital  
			 National Health Service programme capital 1,989 
			 Centrally funded capital allocations and spending 200506 2,314 
			 Central health and miscellaneous services 11 
			 Personal social servicescentrally financed services 3 
			 Personal social servicesgrants 51 
			 Total 4,368

NHS Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses, (b) general practitioners, (c) surgeons, (d) ward support staff and (e) administrative staff were employed in the NHS in each year since 1997; what the total share of the budget attributed to each was in each year; and what the projected figures are for 2006.

Liam Byrne: The information requested on staff numbers is shown in the tables.
	
		National health service staff in England by each specified staff group as at 30 September each specified year -- headcount
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 All medical staff within the surgical group of specialties 13,394 13,786 14,189 14,594 15,267 16,035 16,892 18,290 
			 of which: 
			 Consultants 4,094 4,186 4,431 4,640 4,893 5,088 5,389 5,754 
			 All general medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(32)(5508580033) 29,389 29,697 29,987 30,252 30,685 31,182 32,593 34,085 
			 Total qualified nursing staff 318,856 323,457 329,637 335,952 350,381 367,520 386,359 397,515 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 300,467 304,563 310,142 316,752 330,535 346,537 364,692 375,371 
			 General practitioner practice nurses(33)(5508580034) 18,389 18,894 19,495 19,200 19,846 20,983 21,667 22,144 
			 Support to clinical staff 283,871 289,363 296,619 307,225 325,890 344,524 360,666 368,285 
			 Healthcare assistants and support staff 181,049 184,480 189,085 194,000 204,925 210,462 221,904 223,526 
			 Other support to clinical staff 23,772 23,466 23,709 24,847 26,691 33,151 29,755 30,086 
			 Administrative support to clinical staff(35) 79,050 81,417 83,825 88,378 94,274 100,911 109,007 114,673 
			 Administrative staff 92,820 93,772 98,283 102,884 108,863 118,000 127,578 137,557 
			 Central functions 70,647 71,079 73,996 77,628 81,439 85,706 92,257 99,831 
			 Manager and senior manager 22,173 22,693 24,287 25,256 27,424 32,294 35,321 37,726 
		
	
	(32)General medical practitioners, excluding retainers, includes contracted GPs, general medical service (GMS) others, personal medical service (PMS) others and GP registrars. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career Scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(33)Data as at 1 October 199799 and 30 September 200004.
	(34)Headcount practice nurse figures are estimated for 1998 and 1999 based on the 1997 full-time equivalent to headcount ratio.
	(35)Administrative support to clinical staff are administrative staff who work closely with clinical staff. They are staff such as medical secretaries, patient services staff and ambulance control staff.
	Information on expenditure cannot be provided in the format requested. The percentage of total NHS expenditure in England between 199798 and 200405 for the categories of staff available is shown in the table. Figures for 200405 remain provisional and expenditure by NHS foundation trusts cannot be included; hence the decreases shown.
	
		Total (England) expenditure by staff categories, shown as a percentage of total NHS expenditure(36)(5508580037)
		
			 Percentage 
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Nursing midwifery and health visiting staff 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.0 19.1 18.9 17.3 16.1 
			 Medical staff 8.5 8.8 8.9 9.2 9.4 9.8 10.1 9.5 
			 Healthcare assistants and other support staff 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.9 
			 Administration and estates staff 8.6 8.5 8.4 8.4 8.5 8.7 8.3 8.3 
			 General practitioners 7.8 7.6 8.4 8.3 7.8 7.5 7.3 8.5 
		
	
	(36)Data used is in each case the combined expenditure of NHS trusts, health authorities/strategic health authorities, and primary care trusts, where applicable.
	(37)All staff expenditure data, other than for general practitioners, relates to both NHS and non-NHS staff.
	Sources:
	Audited health authority summarisation schedules 200001 and 200102.
	Audited strategic health authority summarisation schedules 200203 and 200304.
	Audited primary care trust summarisation schedules 200001 to 200304.
	Annual financial returns of the health authorities 199798 to 200102.
	Annual financial returns of the strategic health authorities 200203 to 200405.
	Annual financial returns of the primary care trusts 200001 to 200405.
	Annual financial returns of the NHS trusts 199798 to 200405.
	Future projections depend on the recommendations of pay review bodies which have yet to be made.

NHS Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average income from the NHS of (a) a general practitioner, (b) a junior doctor and (c) a nurse was in each year since 1997.

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average income from the NHS was for a (a) general practitioner, (b) dentist, (c) junior doctor and (d) nurse in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Figures based on information for general practitioners (GPs) in Great Britain are shown in table1.
	
		Table 1: Average income of GPs 199697 to 200304
		
			  Financial year Intended average net remuneration (IANR)() 
		
		
			 199697 44,483 
			 199798 46,031 
			 199899 48,037 
			 19992000 52,606 
			 200001 54,219 
			 200102 56,510 
			 200203 61,618 
			 200304(38) 67,040 
		
	
	(38)The IANR equivalent figure for 200304 is a forecast agreed by the technical steering committee (TSC), which is a United Kingdom wide committee incorporating representatives from all UK health departments, the NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association.
	The estimated average annual net incomes, between 199798 and 200405, of general dental service (GDS) dentists with a reasonable commitment to the GDS are shown in table 2.
	
		Table 2: Estimated average GDS net income for dentists with a reasonable GDS commitment(39), 199798 to 200405, England and Wales
		
			 Financial year Estimated average net income () 
		
		
			 199798 51,200 
			 199899 54,300 
			 19992000 55,700 
			 200001(40) (41)59,200 
			 200102 60,500 
			 200203 63,300 
			 200304 66,700 
			 200405 70,000 
		
	
	(39)Dentists with a reasonable commitment to the GDS are defined as dentists with GDS earnings equivalent to at least 40,000 in 199394 in fees for treatments and patient capitation. This equivalent is calculated each year by adjusting figures to take into account the effect of fee increases. The equivalent figure for 200405 is 59,100.
	(40)Commitment payments started in 2001.
	(41)Figures since 200001 use a different methodology to calculate the contribution from other non-fee/capitation payments.
	Source:
	Department of Health and Health and Social Care Information Centre analysis of Dental Practice Board payments and HMRC tax data.
	Figures for junior doctors and nurses are available from 1998 to 2004 as these are the years when the NHS Staff Earnings survey was undertaken.
	
		Average estimated total earnings for doctors in training and their equivalents and qualified nurses and midwivesEngland -- 
		
			  Estimated annualised average total earnings 
			  Doctors in training and their equivalents Qualified nurses and midwives 
		
		
			 1998 31,200 19,600 
			 1999 33,600 21,400 
			 2000 35,000 22,600 
			 2002 44,100 24,500 
			 2004 47,900 26,400 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The NHS Earnings Survey is based on a sample of payroll data from approximately 50 per cent. of NHS trusts.
	2.Averages are calculated by dividing total payments by total full time equivalents.
	3.Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	4.Doctors in training and their equivalents. This staff group includes house officers, senior house officers and the registrar group. This staff group contains a number of staff who while working at this level do not hold educationally approved training posts.
	Source:
	Department of Health's August NHS Staff Earnings Survey (1998 to 2002) and NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre August 2004 NHS Staff Earnings survey.

NHS Trusts

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many NHS trusts she expects not to be able to become foundation trusts by 2008;
	(2)  what future she envisages for trusts who are not foundation hospitals by 2008.

Liam Byrne: We have made a commitment that all national health service trusts should be in a position to apply for national health service foundation trust (NHSFT) status by 2008. To assist in that process we are rolling out a national programme to assess the readiness of all acute trusts for NHSFT status, in the context of their wider health communities. This whole health community diagnostic project will see trusts developing action plans with their strategic health authorities which set out any challenges or performance issues they need to overcome to become authorised as an NHSFT, as well as an indication of when trusts might be ready to apply for foundation status. The project will be completed by summer 2006.

NHS Trusts

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the NHS trusts where in 2005 her Department has had to intervene in the financial management.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 21 November 2005
	Following the recommendation of the Healthcare Commission, the Secretary of State placed two organisations on special measures (Mid Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust and North West London Hospitals NHS Trust). The Department works with these trusts, the strategic health authorities (SHAs) and the primary care trusts to improve performance. The recommendations of the Healthcare Commission include both service quality improvements and delivering financial balance.
	It is the responsibility of SHAs to deliver both overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure each and every body achieves financial balance. The Department works with SHAs to support them in this task. As part of this support, I have recently announced the formation of finance turnaround teams. These teams will be initially working with 63 NHS organisations. The teams will work with the chief executives of the organisations in delivering the key targets and financial stability. The chief executives will remain responsible for delivery in their organisations.

NHS Trusts

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how her Department ensures that quality of service is not affected when NHS trusts face monetary shortfalls.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 20 December 2005
	All national health service organisations have minimum standards of quality they must deliver, including meeting the targets for maximum waiting times. These are dramatically better than the standards of the NHS in the past and there can be no trade-off between these quality standards and removing deficits. All areas of the country have seen dramatic improvements in services, and all areas of the country will continue to see improvements as additional investment is made. Progress in a particular hospital or service has to be achieved within what is affordable, otherwise the local NHS would be spending other people's money to deliver an improved service which would be unfair to the other parts of the country.

NHS-funded Operations

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS-funded operations have taken place in (a) NHS and (b) private health sector establishments in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: Data on national health service funded operative procedures in different settings are published in the Chief Executive's Report to the NHS, Statistical SupplementDecember 2005.
	Data on the number of first finished consultant episodes (FFCEs) which have taken place in centrally procured independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) schemes for the years 200304 and 200405 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  ISTC FFCEs 
		
		
			 200304 3,663 
			 200405 67,928 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health

Nurses

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses currently on extended sick leave are within (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) 18 months and (d) two years of the official retirement age.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Osteoporosis

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to reduce the numbers of fractures due to osteoporosis in (a) women who have had previous fractures and (b) women with no previous fractures.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 31 October 2005
	Osteoporosis can often be prevented by a healthy lifestyle including exercise and a balanced diet and, in people at particular risk, by drug therapy. Cases of established osteoporosis can be treated both to prevent further fractures and to improve an individual's quality of life. All treatment of osteoporosis can be regarded as secondary prevention. Much of this can be managed in primary care, even in cases of advanced disease.
	The national service framework (NSF) for older people published in March 2001 required integrated falls services to be in place locally by April 2005. The NSF also provided a detailed description of what an integrated falls service should look like; the different elements and people required for integrated service planning and provision. In addition to this, to increase capacity in osteoporosis services in Dexa scanning for bone density as a guide to treatment, the Department has made 20 million available for investment in Dexa scanning services and equipment to build capacity. In 200506, 3 million has been allocated from a centrally held revenue budget for purchasing of additional scans, mainly from independent sector providers, in strategic health authorities where there are the most pressing shortfalls. Capital provision of 17 million has been made available in 200607 and 200708 to improve national health service capacity through investment in new Dexa scanning equipment.

Out-of-hours Services

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with strategic health authorities about the funding of out-of-hours general practitioner services in rural areas.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 20 December 2005
	In recognition of the fact that the cost of out-of-hours services vary, in 200304, 14 million additional funding was available to support primary care trusts facing the biggest challenge in developing out-of-hours services, half to very rural and half to very urban areas. In this financial year, 11.5 million additional funding has been made available.

Palliative Care (Children)

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to passport the medical costs of providing palliative care to children's hospices.

Liam Byrne: In line with our guidance National Standards, Local Action in the three years to March 2008 80 per cent. of national health service funding will go direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) to give them control in shaping services to meet local needs. PCTs, along with their local partners and stakeholders, are in the best position to judge how the available funding can be used effectively in providing a range of palliative care services for children and young people.
	On 29 November, we launched a guide for the commissioners of palliative care for children and young people Commissioning Children's and Young People's Palliative Care Services. This practical guide will stimulate improvements in commissioning and promote quality care for children, young people and their families, in a range of settings, for example, palliative care at home, in hospital or in a hospice.

Palliative Care (Children)

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to children's hospices serving West Sussex in each of the last eight years.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not collect information on the funding of children's hospices and palliative care services for children.
	Children's hospice services are funded from a number of sources, including services commissioned by primary care trusts (PCTs) based on their assessment of children's needs and their priorities. They are best placed to make decisions on the local need for palliative care and are able to take into account the needs of individual families and their preferences.
	In our recently published guide, Commissioning Children's and Young People's Palliative Care Services, launched on 29 November, PCTs are advised to engage with local children's hospices over the contribution hospices can make to the overall pattern of palliative care commissioned for children and young people in their localities.

Palliative Care (Children)

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessments she has made of the medical costs of providing palliative care in children's hospices.

Liam Byrne: Information is not available centrally on the medical costs of palliative care in children's hospices.
	Her Majesty's Treasury's 2002 cross cutting review on the role of the voluntary and community sector in service delivery recommended that funders should recognise that it is legitimate for voluntary and community sector providers to include the relevant element of overheads in their cost estimates for providing a given service under a contract or service agreement. This recommendation was drawn to the attention of primary care trust commissioners through the Chief Executive Bulletin published on 14 April 2005.

Parliamentary Questions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to answer the question on private management of new primary care trusts (19208) tabled by the hon. Member for Romsey on 13 October.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2293W.

Parliamentary Questions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to answer the Questions (a) 21145, (b) 21220, (c) 21219 and (d) 21776 tabled by the hon. Member for Romsey on 19 and 20 October.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1715W for question 21219; on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2282W for questions 21145 and 21220; and on 14 December 2005, Official Report, columns 212526W for question 21776.

Parliamentary Questions

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to question reference 28481 from the hon. Member for Hertsmere, tabled on 10 November.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1802W and 1817W.

Patient Travelling Times

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum recommended patient travelling time is to acute hospitals in England.

Liam Byrne: There is no recommended maximum patient travelling time to acute hospitals in England.

Physical Agents Directive

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat assessment she has made of the impact onthe use of magnetic resonance imaging scans in the NHS when the EU physical agents directive comes into force.

Liam Byrne: An initial impact assessment carried out by the Health Protection Agency suggests that the European physical agents directive may affect about 3.5 per cent. of all magnetic resonance imaging scans in England. The Department are considering how to handle the impact of this on the national health service.

Plagiocephaly

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when she expects guidelines to be issued to assist the early detection of positional plagiocephaly by health professionals;
	(2)  what plans her Department has for publicising the methods available to avoid positional plagiocephaly;
	(3)  how much was spent by her Department on publicising advice to (a) parents and (b) health professionals on how to avoid positional plagiocephaly in each year since 2001.

Liam Byrne: The child health development programme, which provides for health and development checks for young children, is informed by professional guidelines, principally Health for all children edited by Professor David Hall and Dr. David Elliman. This includes guidance on detecting abnormalities in skull development.
	Positional plagiocephaly is caused by allowing consistent pressure to be applied to one part of a baby'sskull over a period of time. This is commonly remedied by enabling babies to experience a range of positions rather than remaining in one position. The Department's guidance to parents on the first five years of their child's life Birth to five, and on reducing the risk of cot death, advocates this procedure.
	Funding associated with avoiding positional plagiocephaly is not separable from the overall funding of child health in the community.

Plastic Water Bottles

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research her Department has evaluated on the transfer of chemicals through plastic water bottles; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the bottled water industry about (a) labelling and (b) information to consumers on storage of plastic water bottles;
	(3)  what regulatory body is responsible for dealing with complaints from the public about possible contamination of bottled water (a) during (i) retail and (ii) wholesale storage and (b) after purchase;
	(4)  what regulatory body is responsible for requirements on (a) the labelling of bottled water and (b) information to consumers about the storage of water in plastic bottles.

Caroline Flint: I have had no direct discussions with bottled water producers, but I am advised that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been in contact with producers regarding the recent press reports of taints of bottled waters stored near household chemicals. There have been some studies on the transfer of chemicals through food packaging, because of the possibility of taint. The thinner and more porous the packaging material, the greater the possibility of taint. The FSA advises that food is not stored near cleaning products or other strongly smelling chemicals.
	The FSA is responsible for food labelling, including the requirements that apply to bottled waters. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing food legislation and for investigating any complaints from the public about possible contamination of bottled water both before and after purchase.

Primary Care Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with representatives of professions allied to medicine on her proposals to divest primary care trusts of their provider status; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) on 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 2162W.

Primary Care Trusts

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations were held with (a) hon. Members, (b) primary care trusts (PCTs) and (c) strategic health authorities before the publication of 'Commissioning a Patient-led NHS'; who will make the final decisions on merger of PCTs; and what research was commissioned on the optimum size for PCTs.

Liam Byrne: The document issued by Sir Nigel Crisp on 28 July entitled 'Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS' was the beginning of a process whereby strategic health authorities (SHAs) were asked to engage their stakeholders to develop proposals for reconfiguration which would then be subject to consultation. The draft proposals from the SHAs were submitted to the Department by 15 October so that they could be assessed before being sent out for full local consultation.
	SHAs submitted their proposals for the reconfiguration of primary care trusts (PCTs) and these proposals were assessed by an independent external panel drawn from and representing a wide range of interests, to determine whether the SHA proposals met the criteria stipulated in 'Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS'. Following consideration by the external panel and Ministers, all proposals for reconfiguration of SHAs have gone forward for local consultation and a wider range of proposals for PCT reconfigurations has also gone forward for local consultation. These local consultations will last for 14 weeks and began on 14 December.
	The Department commissioned a piece of research earlier in the year which concluded that there is no blueprint for the optimum size of PCTs but the criteria for reconfiguring PCTs were clearly set out in the document published on 28 July.

Primary Care Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set up discussion groups of NHS staff affected by her proposals for primary care trusts, moderated by Opinion Leader Research; and if she will pay participants for attendance.

Liam Byrne: A 14 week local consultation on the proposed reconfiguration of primary care trusts began on 14 December. Strategic health authorities have received guidance on the consultation process, which stresses the importance of involving a range of stakeholders in consultation, including staff. The most effective way of involving those staff is a matter for local determination.

Primary Care Trusts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her written statement of 18 October 2005, Official Report, column 49WS, on primary care trusts/strategic health authorities and to the oral answers of 25 October 2005, Official Report, columns 15152, on primary care trusts, whether the statements made in the chronology placed in the Library in relation to new primary care trusts divesting themselves of the majority of service provision have been superseded.

Liam Byrne: My right hon. Friend's written ministerial statement of 18 October and oral answers on 25 October supersede the statements made in the chronology placed in the Library in relation to new primary care trusts (PCTs) divesting themselves of the majority of service provision.
	Since the document issued on 28 July we have listened to stakeholders and the policy moving forward, in relation to service-provision, is that this will be a matter for PCTs to determine locally. Any move away from direct provision of services by PCTs will be a decision for the local national health service within the framework set out in the forthcoming White Paper and after local consultation, including professions allied to medicine.
	We will support PCTs which want to do that, but we will not instruct PCTs to do it, nor will we impose any timetable. What matters is getting the best services for each communityand that is what the White Paper will focus on.

Primary Care Trusts

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to make a decision on the reorganisation of Hertfordshire primary care trusts; and if she will undertake a public consultation on the matter.

Liam Byrne: On 15 October, strategic health authorities (SHAs) submitted their proposals for the reconfiguration of primary care trusts (PCTs), which set out how they intend to strengthen their commissioning function. These proposals were assessed by an independent external panel drawn from and representing a wide range of stakeholder interests, to determine whether the SHA proposals meet the criteria stipulated in the document, Commissioning a Patient Led NHS (July 2005).
	Following consideration by the external panel and Ministers, proposals for PCT reconfiguration were notified to all SHAs and hon. and right hon. Members. Consultations began on December 14, running for 14 weeks. No decisions on the reorganisation of PCTS, including those in Hertfordshire, will be taken until this process has been completed.

Primary Care Trusts

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely effect of allowing varying sizes and configuration of primary care trusts on the level of consistency and equality of access to services across England.

Liam Byrne: The criteria for assessing proposals for the reconfiguration of primary care trusts (PCTs) was set out in the document, Commissioning a Patient Led NHS. These included improving health and reducing inequalities, improving commissioning and effective use of resources and improving co-ordination with social services. I expect overall the new PCTs to improve consistency of performance and equality of access as a result.

Prisons (Contraceptives)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make condoms generally available to all people in prisons.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18 July 2005, Official Report, columns 150506W.

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the assets and liabilities of each private finance project approved by her Department is recorded on the Government balance sheet.

Liam Byrne: A small number of national health service private finance initiative schemes are regarded under accounting standards as on balance sheet. These are shown in the table where 100 per cent. of the capital value of these schemes and the corresponding liabilities are on the national health service's balance sheet.
	
		000
		
			 NHS trust Capital value on balance sheet 
		
		
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust 44,562 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 114,909 
			 Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup NHS Trust 4,500 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust 17,612 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 35,306 
		
	
	The great majority of national health service privatefinance initiative schemes are regarded under accounting standards as being off balance sheet which means that the facilities built by the private sector are off the national health service's balance sheet. There may be deferred assets and liabilities in the accounts of the individual bodies arising from these transactions, but these are not separately identifiable from the accounts.

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) location, (b) cost and (c) completion date is of each private finance initiative project within her responsibility in each health authority area.

Liam Byrne: A list has been placed in the Library of all private finance initiative projects in England where the capital value is 10 million or greater, the scheme is operational or financial close has been reached and work has started on site. The list shows location, cost and operational dates.

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) location and (b) capacity is of each completed private finance initiative hospital project; what the cost was of each; and what the (i) location, (ii)planned capacity and (iii) expected cost is of each planned private finance initiative hospital project.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane). The information shown in the tables gives details requested of schemes that have not yet reached financial close with an estimated capital value of 25 million and above. The Department does not hold centrally full information for schemes below 25 million.
	
		Private finance initiative schemes in negotiation but not yet reached financial close
		
			 Trust Location 
		
		
			 Barts and the London National Health Service Trust East London 
			 University Hospital/South Birmingham MH NHS Trust Birmingham Birmingham 
			 University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust Stoke 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Leicester 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Cottingham 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Wakefield 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Portsmouth 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust St Helens 
			 North Middlesex Hospitals NHS Trust Edmonton 
			 Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust Chelmsford 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust Oxford 
			 Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trusts Salford 
			 Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust Tameside, Great Manchester 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust Colchester 
			 Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust Peterborough 
			 Whipps Cross Hospitals NHS Trust London 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust Walsall 
			 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells/ Invicta Community Care NHS Trusts Pembury and Maidstone 
			 South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Torquay 
			 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust across Leicestershire 
			 Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust Middlesbrough 
		
	
	
		Schemes finalising options and scope prior to going out to tender
		
			 Trust Location 
		
		
			 United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust Bristol 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust Wolverhampton 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Southampton 
			 East and North Hertfordshire/West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Hertfordshire 
			 Bristol North/South Gloucester PCTs Yet to be determined 
			 Papworth Hospital NHS Trust Cambridge 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Acute Trust Birmingham 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Leeds 
			 Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust Uxbridge 
			 Royal national Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust Stanmore 
			 Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust Taunton 
			 Southend Hospital NHS Trust Westcliff on Sea 
			 South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health Trust Sunderland 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Northwick Park 
			 Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals East Berkshire 
			 Aintree Hospitals Liverpool 
			 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals Liverpool 
			 Mersey Care Merseyside 
			 Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital Liverpool 
			 Plymouth Hospitals Plymouth

Private Sector NHS

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private patients were treated in NHS hospitals in each of the last 10 years.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1577W.

Private Sector NHS

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her Oral Statement of 19 October 2005, Official Report, column 283W, in the Westminster Hall debate on private sector NHS, whether she has responded to the dossier of patient complaints about independent sector treatment centres.

Liam Byrne: The dossier provided by the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) in November of 2004, included 18 letters from their members, of which only two related to clinical governance or quality assurance issues for national health service patients treated within independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programme.
	The two letters from the BOA that referred to clinical governance issues related to results obtained by overseas surgeons operating on NHS patients at the Nuffield Hospitals in Derby and Cambridge, respectively. In both circumstances, local clinical governance arrangements had rapidly ensured that the surgeons discontinued working, and formal service investigations were performed at both sites. Learning points from these investigations were used to inform on-going governance arrangements in this sector, and were outlined to the BOA in May of this year.
	The remaining 16 letters from November 2004 comprised a diverse group of issues not directly relating to clinical governance issues in this sector, referring instead to issues of local capacity planning, waiting list issues and discontent over broader policy matters.
	In September of this year, 11 further letters were sent to the Department by the BOA. Five of these letters relate to the ISTC programme, and all clinical incidents were already known to the Department, and have been or are being reported on. A response is being issued to the BOA and further information will be shared as it becomes available.

Processed Foods

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the proportion of processed foods on sale in England which do not contain added (a) sugar and (b) salt.

Caroline Flint: No estimate has been made of the proportion of processed foods that do not contain added sugar or salt. The Department and the Food Standards Agency have held discussions with the food industry in line with public commitments to reduce levels of salt, sugars and fat in foods.

Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by her Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii) London in 200405.

Jane Kennedy: During 200405, the Department spent 364,425.74 on public opinion research. This total includes media evaluation, large-scale surveys and qualitative research, for example, focus groups. The work was undertaken on a national basis. Of this 21,831 was spent on regional media evaluation, that is, analysing messages in the regional media.
	During the same period, the Department spent a total of 2,908,812.97 on public relations agencies delivering campaigns in England. The Department does not break the figures down regionally. The agencies concerned ran campaigns covering tobacco and drugs control, sexual health, flu immunisation, hepatitis C awareness, breastfeeding awareness, healthy eating, social care or social work and national health service recruitment campaigns. This figure includes both agency fees and costs such as literature, posters and other materials produced for the campaigns.
	The figures quoted above do not include value added tax.

Quality and Outcomes Framework

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the outcome of the review of the quality and outcomes framework of the General Medical Services contract will be announced; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what consideration has been given to including indicators for osteoporosis within the new quality and outcomes framework.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 November 2005
	NHS Employers, working on behalf of United Kingdom health Ministers, and the British Medical Association's general practitioners committee have finalised an agreement on the general medical services contract for 200607 which includes the review of the quality and outcomes framework and an announcement will be made shortly. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt the announcement.

Quality and Outcomes Framework

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of general practitoner practices in (a) England, (b) each primary care trust and (c) each strategic health authority achieved Med 5 and Med 9 of the Quality and Outcomes Framework on medicines management in 200405.

Liam Byrne: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Radiology

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many interventional radiologists have been employed by the NHS in each year since 1997; and what plans she has to expand this number;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the optimum number of interventional radiologists needed by the NHS, with specific reference to the numbers needed to fully utilise minimally invasive technologies of proven clinical and cost-effectiveness.

Liam Byrne: Information is not collected centrally on the number of interventional radiologists employed in the national health service. The table shows the number of hospital medical staff in the radiology group of specialties in each year since 1997.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services: all medical staff and consultants within the radiology group of specialties by specialty -- Number (headcount)
		
			  All staff Consultant 
			   of which:  of which: 
			  Radiology Group Clinical radiology Nuclear medicine Radiology Group Clinical radiology Nuclear medicine 
		
		
			 1997 2,064 2,014 50 1,473 1,442 31 
			 1998 2,127 2,075 52 1,514 1,481 33 
			 1999 2,214 2,164 50 1,540 1,507 33 
			 2000 2,347 2,303 44 1,616 1,585 31 
			 2001 2,508 2,454 54 1,683 1,645 38 
			 2002 2,595 2,538 57 1,745 1,702 43 
			 2003 2,760 2,693 67 1,860 1,810 50 
			 2004 2,911 2,836 75 1,928 1,876 52 
			 June 2005 n/a n/a n/a 2,017 1,967 50 
		
	
	n/anot available.
	Note:
	1997 to 2004 data as at 30 September each year, data for 2005 as at 30 June.
	Data for June 2005 was taken from the Medical and Dental mini census which collected consultants only.
	Source :
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Medical and Dental Workforce Census
	Between September 1997 and June 2005, the number of consultants in the radiology group of specialties increased by 544 or 37 per cent. Between 200203 and 200405, 166 new centrally funded specialist registrar posts were allocated. An additional 60 new posts were allocated in 200506, including posts for the new clinical radiology academies.
	It is the responsibility of NHS organisations to analyse their local situation and develop plans to deliver high quality NHS services and recruit the appropriate staff required to deliver these services.

Restraint Procedures

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have (a) died and (b) been injured under restraint in mental health institutions in each of the last eight years.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not held centrally by the Department. The confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide, which is funded by the National Patient Safety Agency, has been extended to cover all sudden, unexplained deaths in psychiatric units. It will report on the use of control and restraint in due course.
	From 1 January 2004, the Mental Health Act Commission, as part of its programme of monitoring vulnerable patient groups, has asked providers of acute mental health services to notify every occasion when a detained patient sustains an injury which requires medical intervention as a consequence of an incident of restraint. Findings from the notifications received and visits undertaken will be included in their next report.
	The National Patient Safety Agency has developed a national reporting and learning system to promote comprehensive national learning about patient safety incidents. This includes reporting of patient safety incidents involving control and restraint. This information will facilitate feedback on identified issues.
	The new annual census of mental health inpatients records incidents of restraint as well as recent injuries. The first report, which was published by the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission on 7 December 2005, provides information about the use of restraint in mental health settings.

Restraint Procedures

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has undertaken on the effects of restraint measures in the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: No such assessment has been made by the Department. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reviewed the available evidence on physical interventions in producing its clinical guidelines on the short-term management of disturbed/violent behaviour in in-patient psychiatric settings and emergency departments.
	Individual authorities are required to have clear policies on the use of restraint which include provision of a review of each incident of restraint, and its application audited and reported to hospital managers. This is set out in the Code of Practice of the Mental Health Act 1983.
	The Health and Safety Executive commissioned research from Nottingham university on the effectiveness of training in the prevention and management of violence which is due to be published in 2006.
	One of the key objectives of the National Institute for Mental Health in England and National Patient Safety Agency project on the prevention and management of violence is to identify gaps in research in the area of recognising, preventing and managing aggression and violence. A full report will be produced in 2006.

Restraint Procedures

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different restraint procedures are approved for use in psychiatric hospitals.

Rosie Winterton: Best practice around the use of physical interventions for adults presenting disturbed/violent behaviour in in-patient psychiatric settings is set out in the clinical guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2004. When determining which interventions to employ clinical need, safety of service users and others, and, where possible, advance directives should be taken into account. The intervention selected must be a reasonable and proportionate response to the risk posed by the service user.
	The National Institute for Mental Health in England and National Patient Safety Agency project on the prevention and management of violence will publish guidance and a checklist early in 2006 to ensure that all restraint procedures meet rigorous standards. The project team is also developing proposals for the accreditation and regulation of physical intervention trainers.

Restraint Procedures

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods of restraint are approved for use on children in (a) hospitals and (b) secure hospitals.

Liam Byrne: Guidance on the use of restraint is set out in the Mental Health Act Code of Practice, paragraphs 19.6 to 19.15. This states that restraint by physical means should take place only as a last resort and never as a matter of course. In addition the guidance states that any restraint used should be reasonable in the circumstance; apply the minimum force necessary to prevent harm to the patient or others; be used for only as long as is necessary; and be sensitive to gender and race issues. The advice applies in all healthcare settings and to all age ranges. Trusts should regularly audit their physical restraint procedures consistent with the framework of clinical governance and safeguarding children arrangements.

SANELINE

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what services have the funds formerly provided to SANELINE been diverted.

Rosie Winterton: The funding provided for SANELINE under the Department's contract with SANE, was a specific allocation made for a time-limited period only.

Sexual Health

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by the Government to increase awareness of the risks of sexually transmitted diseases.

Caroline Flint: Measures to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were set out in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (2001) and the public health White Paper Choosing Health, published last November, available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk.
	The White Paper also announced a new high profile national campaign, to promote safer sex messages, aimed at reducing the prevalence and spread of all STIs. The campaign will focus on younger men and women. It will be a high profile media campaign, focusing on the risks of unprotected sex and the benefits of using condoms to avoid the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unintended pregnancies.
	Measures also include targeted HIV prevention and health promotion work with those most at risk of HIV infections, such as gay men and African communities, provided through community organisations such as the Terrence Higgins Trust and the African HIV policy network.
	In addition to these national measures, primary care trusts are responsible for providing sexual health promotion and services which meet the needs of their local populations. To support them in this role, the Department, working with professional bodies, has published recommended standards for sexual health services; a toolkit of best practice for sexual health promotion, and guidance on commissioning.

Sexual Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research projects on (a) abortion, (b) contraception, (c) reproductive health and (d) the effects of abortion on women have been commissioned by her Department in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the publication arrangements were in each case.

Caroline Flint: The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service. Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by NHS organisations. The remainder funds health and social care research through the Department's central research programmes. Details of relevant individual projects are listed as follows:
	Health technology assessment (HTA) projects
	A randomised preference trial of medical versus surgical termination of pregnancies less than 14 weeks' gestation (TOPS).
	The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of routine anti-D prophylaxis for rhesus negative women in pregnancy.
	Amniocentesis results: investigation of anxiety (ARIA)
	Methods of prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia
	Systematic reviews of accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modelling
	Accuracy and cost effectiveness of rapid diagnosis of Group-B streptococcus during labour
	Prenatal screening and treatment strategies to prevent group B streptococcal and other bacterial infections in early infancy: cost effectiveness and expected value of information analyses.
	Systematic review of early pregnancy screening tests for Down Syndrome
	Screening to prevent pre-term birthsystematic reviews of accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modelling
	The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of microwave and thermal balloon endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and economic modelling
	Liquid-based cytology in cervical screening: an updated rapid and systematic review and economic analysis
	A systematic review of diagnostic tests and algorithms used in the investigation of haematuria
	A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of topotecan, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrocholoride and paclitaxel for second-line or subsequent treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (up-date)
	A randomised trial of human papilloma virus testing in primary cervical screening (ARTISTIC)
	Methods of prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsiaSystematic reviews of accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modelling
	Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Levonorgestrel containing intrauterine system in primary care against standard treatmentThe ECLIPSE Trial
	Antidepressant drug therapy versus a community-based psychosocial intervention for the treatment of moderate postnatal depression: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
	A comparison of automated technology and manual cervical screening (MAVARIC)
	Treatment for fibroids: uterine artery embolisation (UAE) or hysterectomy (HOPEFUL)
	Systematic review of early pregnancy screening tests for Down Syndrome
	Screening to prevent pre-term birthsystematic reviews of accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modelling
	The HTA programme aims to publish the results of every project in the monograph series Health Technol Assess (ISSN 1366 5278). As well as printed versions, full electronic versions of all titles in the monograph series are made available free of charge on the HTA programme website and on a free compact disc which is updated three to four times per year.
	Policy Research Programme Projects
	The following projects are funded through the allocation of departmental policy research programme budget to the Medical Research Council (MRC). The research is commissioned by the MRC on behalf of the Department.
	The second national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (2000). Initial results from this large-scale survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles were published as reference tables and summary report by the National Centre for Social Research in 2002. This publication has been followed by a high volume of peer-reviewed journal articles and a number of papers are forthcoming.
	Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Evaluation Team. Final Report Synthesis. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. June 2005.
	French, R et al. Exploring the attitudes and behaviours of Bangladeshi, Indian and Jamaican young people in relation to reproductive and sexual health. University College London. November 2005.
	Berrington, A et al. Consequences of Teenage Parenthood: Pathways which minimise the long term negative impacts of teenage childbearing. University of Southampton. November 2005.
	Viner, R et al. Protective and risk factors for early sexual activity and contraception use among Black and Minority Ethnic adolescents in East London. University College London, City University and Queen Mary, University of London. October 2005.
	Higginbottom, G et al. An Exploration of the Teenage Parenting Experiences of Young People of Black and Minority Ethnic Origin in England. University of Sheffield. October 2005.
	Dawson, N et al. The Education of Pregnant Young Women and Young Mothers in England. University of Bristol and University of Newcastle. September 2005.
	(forthcoming in December 2005 DfES research release)
	Wiggins, M et al. Teenage Parenthood and Social Exclusion: a multi-method study. Summary report of findings. Social Science Research Unit.
	Long-term consequences of teenage births for parents and their children (2004) Ermisch, J. University of Essex (publication: TPU website, Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Essex website and academic journals)
	Analysis of data from the national surveys of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (NATSAL I and II) relevant to an exploration of outcomes of teenage motherhood. Wellings, K. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (unpublished).
	Living on the edge: sexual behaviour and young parenthood in rural and seaside areas (2004). Craig, G. University of Hull (publication: TPU website, University of Hull report)
	'Young People's Perceptions of Contraception and Seeking Contraceptive Advice' A Report on the Key Findings from a Qualitative Research Study (2001). Counterpoint Research (publication: TPU website)
	These publications are available from the Teenage Pregnancy Unit's pages of the Department for Education and Skills website, at www.dfes.gov.uk unless otherwise stated.
	The following policy research programme projects have been commissioned and are currently ongoing:
	Developing and piloting a sexual health communication tool.
	Translating effective behavioural interventionsreplicating a proven intervention to meet the sexual health and reproductive health needs of young black Caribbean women in sexual health services.
	Exploring strategies to increase chlamydia screening volume in general practice.
	Diversity of Chlamydia trachomatis in young people.
	Measuring the impact of the Chlamydia trachomatis epidemic: new serological assays to assess disease burden.
	These will be published through peer-reviewed journal articles and dissemination to targeted audiences.

Senior House Officers

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior house officer jobs have been available in each of the last eight years; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Information requested is not available centrally.
	Information is however available on the number of medically qualified senior house officers (SHO) and equivalents in post in each of the last eight years and this is shown in the table.
	
		Medically qualified(42) senior house officers and equivalents 1997 to 2004, England
		
			  Number (headcount) 
		
		
			 1997 14,580 
			 1998 14,774 
			 1999 14,812 
			 2000 15,081 
			 2001 15,409 
			 2002 16,685 
			 2003 18,212 
			 2004 20,094 
		
	
	(42)Excludes all staff with a dental specialty.
	Source:
	NHS Health  Social Care Information Centre Medical and Dental workforce census.
	Between 1997 and 2004, the number of medically qualified SHOs and equivalents has increased by 5,514 or 38 per cent.

Sleep Apnoea

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  by what date she expects sufferers of obstructive sleep apnoea to be diagnosed within one month of referral by their general practitioner in accordance with the national service framework for long-term conditions quality requirement 2;
	(2)  how many obstructive sleep apnoea patients have access to continuous positive airway pressure treatment within one month of diagnosis in accordance with the national service framework for long-term conditions quality requirement 7 for people with long-term conditions;
	(3)  what proportion of suspected obstructive sleep apnoea sufferers wait for longer than one month to see a specialist after referral by their general practitioner; and how many of these have to travel for more than two hours to reach a specialist sleep centre for diagnosis and treatment;
	(4)  what percentage of NHS trusts commission specialist services for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnoea;
	(5)  what estimate she has made of the average waiting time for treatment for diagnosed sufferers of obstructive sleep apnoea in the last year for which figures are available;
	(6)  what statistics her Department collects on the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea;
	(7)  what estimate she has made of the number of adults with (a) diagnosed and (b) undiagnosed (i)obstructive sleep apnoea and (ii) other sleep disorder sufferers;
	(8)  what research her Department has undertaken into the medical status of individuals involved in sleep-related accidents.

Liam Byrne: Data on the number of people with sleep apnoea is not available centrally but the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association estimates that 4 per cent. of men and 2 per cent. of women are affected by the condition.
	Hospital episode statistics (HES) contains details of patients admitted to and treated in national health service hospitals in England. In 200304, there were 12,162 finished consultant episodes in NHS hospitals in England for people with a primary diagnosis of sleep apnoea. HES data does not reflect the number of patients with a particular condition as a person may have more than one finished consultant episode (FCE) in the year. A FCE is defined as the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider.
	The national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions is a 10-year programme intended to stimulate long term and sustained improvement in services principally for people with neurological conditions. It is for the NHS locally to set their own pace of change. Through the regular review and inspection processes the NHS and local authorities will need to demonstrate that they are making progress in planning and developing the level of service quality described in the NSF.
	Information on waiting times for inpatient and outpatient treatment in England is collected by consultant speciality rather than for specific conditions. Depending on the clinical needs of the patient, a range of consultants can undertake the treatment of sleep disorders, including neurological and respiratory specialists. As specialty level data for relevant specialties would include data for a number of conditions it is not possible to determine what proportion of suspected obstructive sleep apnoea patients wait for longer than one month to see a specialist.
	By the end of 2005, the maximum waiting time for first outpatient appointment with a consultant will fall to 13 weeks and the maximum waiting time for inpatient treatment will fall to six months. By 2008, patients will be admitted for treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their general practitioner, and those with urgent conditions will be treated much faster.
	Information on the percentage of NHS trusts commissioning specialist services for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders is not available centrally. It is for health professionals in primary care organisations, in consultation with other stakeholders, to determine which services their populations need and to ensure the appropriate level of provision. In terms of sleep disorders, this would include, where appropriate, the provision of continuous positive airway pressure equipment as well as other treatments and interventions such as advice to promote weight loss. It is for health professionals to decide what treatment to offer patients, in consultation with the patient and informed by the patient's medical history. The Department does not collect information on the number of sleep apnoea patients with access to continuous airway pressure treatment.
	The Department has not undertaken any research into the medical status of individuals involved in sleep-related accidents. In 2002, the Department for Transport held an expert workshop into the medical causes of daytime sleepiness in respect of driving and, as a result, strengthened the advice it provides to doctors.

Smoking

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of those (a) individuals and (b) organisations that took part in the consultation on the Health Bill favoured (i) the exemptions on the smoking ban as on the face of the Health Bill and (ii) a ban which excluded (A) private clubs and (B) pubs where food was not sold.

Caroline Flint: The consultation report was published on 24 November 2005. A copy of the publication is available in the Library.
	Of those who responded, some 57,000 plus, around 90 per cent. supported legislation on smoke free premises. Of those 90 per cent., exact figures are not available. However, of the 41,833 responses on the specific proposals, the report notes that over 90 per cent. were against any exemptions for pubs not serving food.
	Of the 41,641 responses on the membership clubs proposal the report notes that the vast majority believe that, since membership clubs are a workplace then there should be no exemptions.

Smoking

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to encourage implementation of World Health Organisation guidelines on smoking in pregnancy.

Caroline Flint: Departmental officials have contacted the World Health Organisation regarding guidelines on smoking during pregnancy; we have been told that there are none.

Smoking

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which (a) organisations and (b) individuals were consulted by her Department before publication of her Department's White Paper on smoking; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has recently held two recent major public consultations where the subject of smoking was included.
	The Choosing Health consultation was held between March 2004 and June 2004. A consultation on the smoke free proposals set out in the public health White Paper Choosing Health was held between June 2005 and September 2005.
	The Choosing Health consultation analysis final report was published on 9 March 2005. Chapter three of the report gives information on the responses received by organisation type, not named organisations nor individuals. A copy is available in the Library.
	A list of organisations and individuals in England, who were sent the consultation on the smoke free elements of the Health Bill, will be placed in the Library. The results of the consultation, including a summary of the types of organisations responding, was published recently and a copy is available in the Library.

Strategic Health Authorities

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the month six forecast 200506 year-end financial position of each strategic health authority area.

Liam Byrne: The 200506 forecast financial position at month six for all national health service organisations was announced on 1 December and has been placed in the Library. This information is also available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/40/49/04124049.pdf.

Strategic Health Authorities

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what powers she proposes to give to strategic health authorities to allow them to intervene in the running of primary care trusts; whether she intends to give powers to strategic health authorities to insist that primary care trusts outsource and market-test services; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions she has had on giving strategic health authorities the powers to remove the chief executives and board members of trusts; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 2 December 2005
	There are no proposals or plans to give strategic health authorities (SHAs) additional powers to intervene in the running or plans of primary care trusts (PCTs) as a result of the reconfiguration exercise or to insist that PCTs outsource or market test services.
	SHAs do not have the power to remove the chief executives and board members of PCTs and there are no plans to change this situation. Under Section 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 the Secretary of State can make an intervention order if she is not satisfied that an national health service body is performing one or more of its functions adequately.

Strategic Health Authorities

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the temporary staff costs were for (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) other healthcare professionals, (d) managers and (e) administrative staff in each strategic health authority in England in each of the last 10 years.

Liam Byrne: The Department collects expenditure information on non national health service staff for local NHS organisations including strategic health authorities (SHAs). Non-NHS staff expenditure figures include all agency staff and any other staff not directly employed by these bodies. Information relating to spend for the relevant staff groups in each SHA in England from 200203, when these were established is shown in the tables. Information relating to the costs of temporary managers is not collected centrally.
	The rise in agency staff spend over the years covered in the tables has tracked the rise in established posts over the period. Data for 200405 has not yet been verified but it suggests that expenditure in agency staff in the NHS has dropped significantly.
	Reducing agency spend is part of the Department's contribution to the 6.5 billion Gershon efficiency target and the 10 human resource high impact changes as highlighted in, A workforce response to local delivery plans: a challenge for NHS Boards.
	
		HFR 25B: Salaries and wages non NHS staff (agency, etc.)expenditure ()England 200304
		
			   Non NHS staff (agency etc.) 
			 SHA code SHA name Medical Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff Scientific, therapeutic and technical staff Administrative and clerical 
		
		
			   151 153 154 160 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 0 0 0 76,571 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA221,983 
			 Q03 Essex Strategic HA187,248 
			 Q04 North West London Strategic HA318,325 
			 Q05 North Central London Strategic HA  4,024  425,939 
			 Q06 North East London Strategic HA614,906 
			 Q07 South East London Strategic HA 73,083   88,577 
			 Q08 South West London Strategic HA49,899 
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA154,736 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA76,336 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and N Lincs SHA 0 0 0 29,997 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire Strategic HA60,269 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 0 0 0 108,334 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester Strategic HA119,610 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA53,300 
			 Q16 Thames Valley Strategic HA119,316 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA134,793 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway Strategic HA146,107 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA370,204 
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire And Wiltshire SHA 0 0 0 56,830 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula Strategic HA172,476 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA97,104 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire Strategic HA(43)52,797 
			 Q24 Trent Strategic HA80,758 
			 Q25 Leics, Northants and Rutland SHA 0 0 0 161,367 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA76,685 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country SHA 0 0 0 155,312 
			 Q28 West Midlands South Strategic HA36,124 
			  England total 73,083 4,024 0 4,245,903 
		
	
	(43)Due to being host for Shared Business Services has resulted in 6 million expenditure for temporary staff.
	Source:
	Annual Financial Returns of Strategic Health Authorities
	
		HFR 25B: Salaries and wages non NHS staff (agency, etc.)expenditure ()England 200203
		
			   Non NHS staff (agency etc.) 
			 SHA code SHA name Medical Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff Scientific, therapeutic and technical staff Administrative and clerical 
		
		
			   151 153 154 160 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA   5,334 48,068 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA99,105 
			 Q03 Essex Strategic HA 17,609   185,961 
			 Q04 North West London Strategic HA246,788 
			 Q05 North Central London Strategic HA  20,391  276,659 
			 Q06 North East London Strategic HA 427   303,374 
			 Q07 South East London Strategic HA 0 0 0 141,482 
			 Q08 South West London Strategic HA   2,668 243,574 
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA 0 0 0 111 ,995 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA 0 0 0 198,649 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and N Lincs SHA39,171 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire Strategic HA158,511 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 54,000 0 0 9,379 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 0 0 0 174,108 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA68,361 
			 Q16 Thames Valley Strategic HA114,647 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Strategic HA272,340 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway Strategic HA205,286 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA922,225 
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA 0 0 0 0 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula Strategic HA191,420 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 1,557  723 53,831 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire Strategic HA21,703 
			 Q24 Trent Strategic HA111,248 
			 Q25 Leics, Northants and Rutland SHA 0 0 0 434,765 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country SHA 0 0 0 120,547 
			 Q28 Cov, Warks, Herefordshire and Worcs SHA28,883 
			  England total 73,593 20,391 8,725 4,782,080 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual Financial Returns of Strategic Health Authorities

Student Nurses

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student nurses are waiting to receive a 200506 NHS student bursary; and what the average waiting time for receipt of bursaries is.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 November 2005
	11,941 student nurses have applied for bursaries for nursing courses which started in September 2005, all of which have now been processed.
	The average waiting time for receipt of bursaries in 200506 for those student nurses who have been paid was 11 days from course start date. This figure does not reflect any delays in receiving information from the university. Payment cannot be made until the student grants unit receives confirmation of enrolment of individual students from the university and this process can take several days.

Suicide Chat Rooms

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with internet service providers about suicide chat rooms.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 12 December 2005
	I will be having discussions with internet service providers, through the Internet Service Providers Association, in the new year to discuss the issue of websites and chat rooms that make information available about suicide.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by her Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has spent 335,709.59 on its central contract for taxis up to the end of November 2005.
	Other taxi fares may be claimed through staff expenses but the information cannot be made available without disproportionate cost.
	The proportion of taxi travel undertaken in each nation and region of the United Kingdom cannot be made available without disproportionate cost.

Tuberculosis

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new tuberculosis cases have been recorded in the UK in each year since 1990.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the table.
	Number of tuberculosis case notifications for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 1990 to 2004.
	
		
			  Number of notifications 
		
		
			 1990 5,898 
			 1991 6,078 
			 1992 6,442 
			 1993 6,565 
			 1994 6,230 
			 1995 6,176 
			 1996 6,238 
			 1997 6,367 
			 1998 6,605 
			 1999 6,701 
			 2000 7,033 
			 2001 7,113 
			 2002 7,214 
			 2003 6,922 
			 2004 7,180 
		
	
	Sources:
	Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections: Statutory Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDs).
	Health Protection Scotland: Data from 19901999 from Statutory Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDs). Data from 200004 from Enhanced Surveillance of Mycobacterial Infection Scheme.
	Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDS) 19902004 Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland.

Turnaround Teams

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts will be subject to visits from turnaround teams.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State announced on 1 December 2005 that teams of financial and management experts are to be sent to support the strategic health authorities (SHAs), national health service trusts and primary care trusts that have the biggest delivery problems.
	An initial assessment is under way to ensure that the organisations that are forecasting the most significant deficits, expected to number 63, have financial control and there are an agreed set of actions to restore financial balance.
	Following the initial assessment, the SHA, the Department and the organisation will agree on a tailored package of turnaround support. The chief executives of the most challenged organisations will then be supported in delivering turnaround by turnaround teams.
	The turnaround teams will support the NHS in identifying opportunities to deliver services with greater cost-effectiveness and to make financial savings. They will help the local NHS ensure that the NHS delivers both its key targets and financial balance.

Underactive Thyroid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make funding available for regular blood tests for those with an underactive thyroid.

Liam Byrne: Funding is already available for regular blood tests for those diagnosed with an under-active thyroid.

Waiting Lists/Times

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether outpatient waiting lists in England include referrals other than general practitioner letter referrals.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The current outpatient waiting time target only applies to patients waiting for their first outpatient appointment with a consultant following a general practitioner or dental practitioner referral. It does not include follow-up appointments, consultant to consultant referrals or appointments with non-consultants.

Waiting Lists/Times

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for an appointment to see a general practitioner was in (a) England, (b) the Tees Valley and (c) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The requested data are not collected or held centrally. Since 2001, data has been collected each month from primary care trusts and general practitioners (GPs) on the availability of access to a general practitioner. This data shows whether access is or is not available in line with The NHS Plan target that patients should be able to be seen within 48 hours but do not provide information on actual waiting times. Overwhelmingly patients are able to see a GP within 48 hours if they wish.

Waiting Lists/Times

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were from general practitioner referral to receipt of counselling services in (a) Blackpool, (b) Lancashire and (c) England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Information on waiting times for counselling services is not routinely captured by the Department. The Department collects such information for consultant-led services only.

Waiting Lists/Times

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2300W, on waiting times, if she will break the figures down into (a) those admitted, (b) those transferred and (c) those discharged within four hours of arrival in an accident and emergency department since 200203.

Liam Byrne: Information is not collected on waiting times in accident and emergency (AE) departments broken down by the reason for leaving AE. We only collect total time spent in AE from arrival to departure.

Winter Excess Deaths

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many winter excess deaths there have been in each of the last 25 years (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the elderly population, broken down by region; and what recent measures the Government have taken to reduce the number of winter excess deaths.

Liam Byrne: Excess winter deaths are available by the Government Office Regions since 199192, and are shown in the table. They represent the excess deaths which occurred in the four months December to March, compared with the number expected if the average rate of the four months either side of the winter months applied.
	
		
			 Government Office Regions in England 199192 199293 199394 199495 199596 199697 199798 
		
		
			 Under 85
			 North East 1,700 990 1,180 800 1,420 1,550 1,000 
			 North West 3,500 2,580 1,890 2,600 3,690 3,840 1,760 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 2,660 1,410 1,980 1,670 2,510 2,750 1,550 
			 East Midlands 2,050 1,390 1,490 1,670 1,780 2,000 1,190 
			 West Midlands 2,310 1,760 1,460 1,550 2,710 2,800 1,560 
			 East 1,890 1,430 1,730 1,910 2,040 2,670 1,510 
			 London 2,710 2,090 1,910 2,280 2,980 3,540 1,400 
			 South East 2,810 2,360 1,960 2,240 3,480 4,060 1,810 
			 South West 1,930 1,190 1,450 1,750 2,260 2,730 1,220 
			 
			 85 plus
			 North East 560 420 440 420 650 680 550 
			 North West 1,480 1,320 1,080 1,190 1,940 2,520 1,010 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 1,320 1,060 1,120 1,100 1,530 1,800 910 
			 East Midlands 1,090 790 980 660 1,140 1,540 820 
			 West Midlands 1,060 830 950 760 1,460 1,740 900 
			 East 1,240 940 1,220 1,090 1,830 2,320 1,030 
			 London 1,540 1,260 1,240 1,230 1,840 2,390 1,120 
			 South East 1,760 1,400 1,780 1,750 2,670 3,600 1,410 
			 South West 1,420 990 1,150 1,100 1,880 2,320 1,020 
		
	
	
		
			 Government Office Regions in England 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Under 85   
			 North East 1,450 1,790 1,020 830 940 900 
			 North West 4,460 3,570 2,110 2,450 1,810 2,300 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 2,870 2,720 1,510 1,530 1,220 1,600 
			 East Midlands 2,420 2,210 1,230 1,220 1,030 1,100 
			 West Midlands 2,950 3,200 1,620 1,580 1,430 1,500 
			 East 2,360 2,800 1,240 1,420 1,280 1,300 
			 London 2,780 3,450 1,390 1,430 1,460 1,100 
			 South East 3,450 4,150 1,530 1,740 1,800 1,800 
			 South West 2,030 2,510 1,050 1,360 1,140 1,200 
			
			 85 plus   
			 North East 920 880 530 690 330 400 
			 North West 2,880 2,520 1,620 1,590 1,370 1,300 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 1,890 1,900 1,060 1,300 1,010 1,100 
			 East Midlands 1,680 1,620 980 1,080 1,020 800 
			 West Midlands 1,920 2,090 970 1,100 1,170 1,100 
			 East 2,440 2,070 1,190 1,360 1,210 1,000 
			 London 2,160 2,430 1,380 1,310 1,350 1,000 
			 South East 3,260 3,530 1,620 2,390 1,870 1,600 
			 South West 2,100 2,220 1,220 1,370 1,210 1,100 
		
	
	
		Excess winter mortality as percentage of population as at January 1
		
			 Regions in England 199192 199293 199394 199495 199596 199697 199798 
		
		
			 Under 85
			 North East 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 
			 North West 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 
			 East Midlands 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 West Midlands 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 
			 East 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 
			 London 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 
			 South East 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 
			 South West 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 
			 
			 85 plus   
			 North East 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.7 1.7 1.4 
			 North West 1.5 1.3 1.0 1.1 1.7 2.2 0.9 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 1.8 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.8 2.1 1.0 
			 East Midlands 1.9 1.3 1.6 1.0 1.7 2.3 1.2 
			 West Midlands 1.6 1.2 1.3 1.0 1.8 2.1 1.1 
			 East 1.6 1.2 1.5 1.3 2.0 2.5 1.1 
			 London 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.7 2.1 1.0 
			 South East 1.3 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.7 2.3 0.9 
			 South West 1.6 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.8 2.1 0.9 
		
	
	
		
			 Regions in England 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Under 85   
			 North East 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 North West 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 East Midlands 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 West Midlands 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 East 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 London 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 South East 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 South West 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			
			 85 plus   
			 North East 2.3 2.1 1.2 1.6 0.8 0.9 
			 North West 2.4 2.1 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.1 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 2.1 2.1 1.1 1.4 1.1 1.2 
			 East Midlands 2.3 2.2 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.0 
			 West Midlands 2.2 2.3 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 
			 East 2.5 2.0 1.1 1.3 1.1 0.9 
			 London 1.9 2.1 1.2 1.1 1.2 0.9 
			 South East 2.0 2.1 0.9 1.4 1.1 0.9 
			 South West 1.8 1.9 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 
		
	
	A wide range of measures has been taken, including:
	Flu and pneumococcal immunisation programmes. The United Kingdom has the highest uptake of flu immunisation among eligible groups of any in Europe.
	The Keep Warm Keep Well Campaign, launched this year with the flu immunisation campaign, comprising leaflet and helpline based advice on what simple measures older people can take to preserve their health in winter time.
	Direct encouragement to the national health service to increase further the many fuel poverty reduction partnerships between the NHS, local authorities (LAs) and, for example, EAGA. These lead to primary care staff being trained and supported, simplified referral routes and rapid response from Warm Front and others. A large proportion of referrals to Warm Front originate from the NHS.
	Funding the evaluation of an important collaboration between the NHS and the Met Office, testing the value of health forecasting in the management and self-management of those with chronic chest disease, many of whom are older people.
	Helping to set up the health, housing and fuel poverty forum in March 2005 to raise the profile of cold, damp homes, and to mainstream the many innovative activities the NHS is engaged in to address this issue.
	Establishing the 60 million partnerships for older people projects fund, against which LAs and their partners have been bidding this year. The focus of these projects is on improving outcomes for older people through preventive interventions. Fuel poverty reduction forms a part of several of the short listed bids.
	Close collaboration between the Department and the Energy Retail Association in developing a national home heat advice line, about to be launched.
	Assisting with the production of the popular fuel poverty and health toolkit, produced in 2003 by the National Heart Forum, EAGA, the Faculty of Public Health, Help the Aged, and the Met Office.

Women's Health Services

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to improve women's health and fertility services in the NHS.

Caroline Flint: The Department is committed to improving the health and well being of the general population, including the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The Department is currently taking forward a number of initiatives, including gender specific screening programmes.
	Some initiatives address particular aspects of women's health. Examples include work related to the maternity standard of national service framework for children, young people and maternity services. The standard contains a number of recommendations including ones to address improving maternal health and the needs of pregnant women experiencing domestic violence.
	The guideline on the assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems, published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2004, provides advice to people concerned about delays in conception, including advice on alcohol and drug use, smoking and body weight. It also recommends screening for chlamydia before treatment begins.

Working Time Directive

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations she has received regarding the application of the European working time directive to junior doctors;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the application of the EU working time directive to junior doctors.

Liam Byrne: The working time directive (WTD) was implemented for the vast majority of national health service staff groups in 1998 in accordance with regulations. The Government negotiated an extension to the WTD for doctors in training to enable local implementation from August 2004.
	This Government are committed to the overall aims of the WTD and to ensuring fair working hours for all NHS staff.
	Representations have been received regarding the application of the WTD from the medical Royal Colleges.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1653W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell), on terrorist suspects (renditions), what (a) records and (b) agencies were consulted by officials researching whether the United States had requested permission for a rendition through UK territory or airspace; whether he has asked the US Administration (i) how many US flights carrying detainees have passed through UK territory or airspace to other countries for questioning and (ii) whether the US Administration maintains records of requests for permission for renditions since 1997; and what plans he has to reform the system of record keeping in this area in the future.

Kim Howells: Officials have consulted relevant records, and individual recollections, in the Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and intelligence agencies. They continue to check further. Any future United States (US) request for permission to rendite an individual through UK territory or airspace will be carefully recorded by British officials. Maintenance of records by US officials is a matter for the US Administration.
	We have discussed rendition with the US Administration. The US Secretary of State made clear in her statement of 5 December available at www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/57602.htm that:
	The United States has respectedand will continue to respectthe sovereignty of other countries.
	The United States does not transport, and has not transported, detainees from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture.
	The United States does not use the airspace or the airports of any country for the purpose of transporting a detainee to a country where he or she will be tortured.
	The United States has not transported anyone, and will not transport anyone, to a country when we believe he will be tortured. Where appropriate, the United States seeks assurances that transferred persons will not be tortured.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has asked the United States Administration whether the Gulfstream V aircraft that transited at Prestwick on 15 January 2002 was a rendition flight.

Kim Howells: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in his response to the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (Mr. Kennedy) at Prime Minister's Question Time on 14 December 2005, it would be absurd for the Government to investigate every flight transiting the UK which may have a connection to the United States Government.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual agreement between the US and the UK about flights into the UK originating in the US was last agreed; what changes if any were made; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: There is no annual agreement of the kind mentioned by the right hon. and learned Member. Administrative arrangements have been in place since 1949 under which on a reciprocal basis US and UK military and State aircraft have clearance to land at military airfields in each other's territory.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1043W, on airspace (extraordinary rendition), what the (a) terms and (b) procedures are of the bilateral Air Services Agreement between the US and UK relating to (i) flights originating in the US into the UK and (ii) flights originating in third countries into the UK on their way to the US; when this agreement was last renewed; what changes have been agreed to it, on what dates, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Air Services Agreement (ASA) between the Governments of the United States (US) and United Kingdom was signed on 23 July 1977 and has been subject to a number of amendments, some of which have been the subject of formal exchanges of notes and some of which are applied administratively between the two Governments. Copies of the agreement and of the formal exchanges of notes amending it are available in the Library of the House (Command Papers 7016, 7332, 8222, 9720, 792 and 793). The most recent amendment to this agreement was made in April 2000.
	The ASA sets out the framework for commercial air services between the two countries. It deals with matters such as designation and authorisation of airlines, security, competition, tariffs and other matters. It sets out the routes (city pairs) that can be operated and imposes certain restrictions on services operated from Heathrow and Gatwick. Negotiations between the EU and US about the possible replacement of the national bilateral agreements with a single agreement between the European Community, the member states and the US are at an advanced stage.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for North East Fife of 9 December 2005, Official Report, columns 165253W, on terrorist suspects (rendition), whether the US Administration has ever (a) sought permission for and (b) conducted extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects via the UK's (i) dependent territories and (ii)sovereign bases.

Kim Howells: As far as we are aware, the US Administration has neither sought permission to conduct, nor actually conducted, extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects via the UK's Overseas Territories, including the Sovereign Base Areas.

Arms Trade

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with his counterparts in (a) the US and (b) the EU regarding the arms trade, with particular reference to (i) arms reduction and (ii) a total global arms ban.

Kim Howells: We have regular bilateral and multilateral contacts both with our EU partners and with the United States to discuss the global trade in conventional arms, including our shared concerns over the irresponsible proliferation of these weapons.
	While we have had no discussions about a total global arms ban, which we do not support, the Government are championing the elaboration of an international treaty on the arms trade and is working to secure the broad international consensus required to make this a reality. The G8 Summit at Gleaneagles in July agreed that
	the development of international standards in arms transfers ... would be an important step toward tackling the undesirable proliferation of conventional arms.
	On 3 October, EU Foreign Ministers added the European Union's voice to the growing support for international treaty, and called for a formal process of negotiation to begin at the United Nations at the earliest opportunity. Commonwealth Heads of Government echoed the call for the start of a UN process toward a treaty when they met for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in November.

Bangladesh

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of human rights in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The human rights situation in Bangladesh is not good and appears to be deteriorating. We have serious concerns about reports of extra-judicial killings and torture by the Rapid Action Battalion and the civilian police. The persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, including the Ahmadiyyas, Hindus and Christians and indigenous groups is also a serious issue. We also have ongoing concerns about use of the death penalty and legal and penal systems that do not have the appropriate probity or capacity and about the safeguarding of women's and children's rights along with those of the disabled and other vulnerable groups.
	During my visit to Bangladesh in November 2005, I underlined the UK's commitment to support human rights in Bangladesh during discussions with senior government representatives, human rights campaigners and representatives of religious and ethnic minorities. I also drew attention to this in a widely reported speech.
	We accord human rights related work a very high priority in Bangladesh. The British high commission in Dhaka is actively engaged in promoting human rights in Bangladesh and raises human rights issues with the Government of Bangladesh on a regular basis. They have frequent contacts with human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and provide funding to NGOs for human rights based programmes.

Bangladesh

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh concerning the security of high commission staff following the attempt on the life of the British high commissioner.

Kim Howells: The security of staff is a top priority and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) makes every effort to manage the risk and fulfil its duty of care to all its staff world-wide. Since the grenade attack in Sylhet in May 2004 in which the British high commissioner was injured, we have taken every available opportunity to stress to the Government of Bangladesh the importance of bringing the perpetrators to justice, not least for the relatives of those who tragically died. It is obviously vital for the Government of Bangladesh to conclude credible investigations into this, and other attacks, as soon as possible.
	Most recently, during my visit to Bangladesh in November 2005, I spoke to senior members of the Government of Bangladesh about our concern at the failure so far to bring the perpetrators to justice. Before that on 4 October 2005, Sir Michael Jay, permanent under secretary at the FCO raised this with his direct counterpart Mr. Hemayetuddin. The high commissioner in Dhaka and other officials continue to raise the case on a regular basis at senior level with the Government's representatives.

Brazil

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Brazil on (a) reform of the police service, (b) extra-judicial killings and (c) respect for human rights.

Douglas Alexander: The Government regularly raises with the Brazilian Government, bilaterally and with our European partners, the importance we attach to human rights, including police reform and tackling extra-judicial killings. The then Under-Secretary of State responsible for relations with Latin America, my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Bill Rammell) raised human rights issues with the Brazilian Government at the UK-Brazil High Level Political talks in February 2005 and our ambassador in Brasilia discussed these issues with senior members of the Brazilian judiciary and Ministry of Justice at a seminar in Brasilia funded by the British Government in December 2005.
	Although serious abuses of human rights continue to take place in Brazil, we believe that the Brazilian authorities recognise the scale of the problem. Combating extra-judicial killings by law enforcement officials is a priority for Brazil's Sub-Secretariat for Human Rights. In addition, the Government support various projects with Brazilian partners to combat torture and improve the police and penal system. Our work enjoys the full support of the authorities both at local and federal level. We will continue to work with the Brazilian authorities and with Brazilian civil society to help address the various root causes of these problems.

China

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the lifting of the EU embargo on arms exports to China with the US Secretary of State.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed this issue, with the US Secretary of State, in May 2005. We have since established an EU-US Strategic Dialogue for discussion of security issues in East Asia.

China

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of China about its persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong.

Ian Pearson: We continue to raise human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners with the Chinese Government, for example at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in June 2005, and among individual cases of concern on which we have sought responses from the Chinese authorities. Cases of Falun Gong practitioners were also raised at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in October 2005.

China

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of China on the use of torture.

Ian Pearson: The Government urge China to end the use of torture. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the visit to China of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, with Premier Wen Jiabao at the EU-China summit in September 2005. The EU, under the UK Presidency, raised the use of torture at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in October 2005. The issue was also discussed at the EU-China seminar on the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in December 2005, and at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in June 2005. We have raised individual cases of alleged torture with the Chinese Government, most recently in Beijing in December 2005. We will continue to raise this issue with the Chinese authorities.

Coca Cultivation

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the statement by Bolivian Presidential candidate, Evo Morales, that he will lift the ban on coca cultivation in the Chapere region.

Douglas Alexander: It is for the new Bolivian Government to establish the overall direction of policy on coca cultivation but the UK hopes Bolivia will continue to respect international agreements already committed to. Where possible, we hope to continue to assist the Bolivian Government in its efforts to tackle drug trafficking.

Congo

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on its proposed constitutional referendum.

Ian Pearson: The referendum on the new Congolese constitution took place on the 18 and 19 December 2005. Prior to the referendum, the UK, together with EU partners, pressed the Congolese authorities to work towards a peaceful and successful outcome. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development emphasised this point during his November visit to the region.
	We have congratulated the Congolese authorities on the referendum's successful completion. We continue to urge the Congolese Government and National Assembly to complete parliamentary consideration and ratification of the draft Electoral Law. This will maintain the momentum of the political process and ensure that the envisaged timetable for elections before 30 June 2006 can be met.

Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the demobilisation process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ian Pearson: The UK continues to support the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (MONUC), which is working with the DRC armed forces to demobilise militias. MONUC has already demobilised 17,500 former combatants and repatriated over 13,000 foreign combatants. The process has slowed in recent months and we continue to press the DRC Government to accelerate its efforts to disarm militias and integrate all combatants into the national army or civilian life.
	The UK has committed 25 million to the Multi-Donor Regional Programme for Disarmament, Demobilisation, Repatriation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. We have also contributed two of the eight officers in the EU's Security Sector Reform Mission, which offers advice and assistance to the Government in integrating rebel factions into a unified army prior to elections.

Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of the recent referendum in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was undertaken by UK representatives; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The EU sent an official Electoral Observation mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UK representatives from the British embassy in Kinshasa also observed the constitutional referendum across the country on 18 and 19 December 2005. Despite the logistical challenges of organising a referendum in such a vast country, it took place in a largely peaceful and positive atmosphere, and the turnout was high.
	We welcome the outcome of the referendum: the strong endorsement of the draft constitution underlines the desire of the Congolese people for completion of the transition to full democratic government as soon as possible.

Congo

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of respect for human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ian Pearson: The human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains poor. Years of conflict, exacerbated by corruption, illegal exploitation of resources, the collapse of the state and chronic poverty, have led to human rights violations and abuses of humanitarian standards by all sides.
	The UK continues to remind the DRC authorities of the need to protect the rights of all vulnerable groups and to bring to justice all perpetrators of abuse. An EU-led Security Council Resolution on the DRC, adopted at last year's UN General Assembly, makes clear that the DRC Government must take action to improve human rights conditions, through better command and control of the armed forces, improved freedom of expression and better protection for human rights defenders.
	The DRC is undergoing a process of political transition, which is expected to culminate in the electionof a fully democratic government by mid-2006. This should provide the framework for sustained improvements in the human rights situation.

Correspondence

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill of 13 December 2005 concerning the case of the late James McInally, who died in Turkey.

Douglas Alexander: My right. hon. Friend's letter was received by consular directorate on 21 December 2005 and a reply issued on 4 January 2006.

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many secondees there have been to his Department from consultancy firms, including the Big Four accountancy firms, in each of the last three years; and what areas of the Department they have worked in.

Jack Straw: There has been one secondment in the past three years. The secondee came from PricewaterhouseCoopers and worked in the Inward Investment Group, United Kingdom Trade and Investment from 27 March 2002 until 31 March 2005.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997.

Jack Straw: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total administrative costs of his core Department were in the last year for which figures are available; and whether these are regarded as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses.

Jack Straw: The total administration out turn for 200405 as shown in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Resource Accounts was 752,907,000. For the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses, these costs are non-identifiable, being in the general national interest and not identifiable against particular individuals or regions.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the administrative costs were of each agency for which he has responsibility in the last year for which figures are available; what the total of such costs was in that year; and whether the costs are regarded for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has responsibility for Wilton Park, which is run as an Executive Agency. Wilton Park's Resource Accounts are published for financial year 200405 as part of the Wilton Park Executive Agency Annual Report and Accounts, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House (publication reference HC 234).
	Within the Financial Statements section of the Annual Report, the Operating Cost Statement shows Total Administration Costs of 3,332,000-comprising Staff Costs of 1,932,000 and Other Administration Costs of 1,400,000. Details of what is included under this category are provided in Note 5 to the Accounts.
	These costs are regarded as identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analysis.

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on bottled water in 200405.

Douglas Alexander: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Guidance (Evidence/Documentary Access)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department giving evidence to the (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) National Assembly for Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document he gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to the (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) National Assembly for Wales, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons select committees.

Douglas Alexander: There is no obligation for Ministers or officials to give evidence to Parliamentary Committees of the Devolved Assemblies. However, Ministers for Europe have appeared before the European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament. Most recently, the former Europe Minister, my right hon. Friend for Rotherham (Dr. MacShane) appeared before the Committee on 7 January 2004. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials attended the European and External Affairs Committee of the Welsh Assembly also in September 2005. We would consider requests to appear before all Devolved Assembly Committees on a case by case basis.
	Official documents are released to the Devolved Assemblies on an as necessary basis, based upon the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding which agrees that each administration will aim to provide any information that may be reasonably requested by another administration to enable it to carry out its responsibilities effectively, provided that (a) this is practicable, (b) it would not involve disproportionate cost and (c) the information is available in reasonably accessible form (Part 1 para 10).
	The FCO always seeks to respond positively to all requests to provide documents to select committees of the House in accordance with Ministers' general duties to account to Parliament for the policies, decisions and actions of their Departments. Special arrangements are made for classified documents.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants in his Department worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold this information centrally and disproportionate time and resources would be needed to answer this question fully. However, the FCO does have a flexible working scheme which enables all staff to request to work flexibly. Examples of flexible working which our staff currently do include job-sharing, working from home and other remote locations, reduced hours, and condensed hours. As part of the FCO's work to improve the diversity of its workforce, we are constantly looking at ways to encourage more flexible working opportunities for staff.

Diplomatic Staff (Complaints)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) complaints and (b) grievances made by diplomatic staff to the management and individuals in the Senior Management structure of his Office (a) remain to be determined and (b) are unresolved; and what the duration of each outstanding complaint or grievance was from the date it was first lodged.

Jack Straw: There are no grievances made by diplomatic staff that remain to be determined or that are unresolved under the Department's internal Grievance Procedure, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Grievance Procedure encourages informal resolution of complaints in accordance with best practice guidelines. No record is kept centrally of such complaints unless attempts at informal resolution are unsuccessful and the formal procedure is invoked.

Diplomatic Staff (Complaints)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the past five years complaints or grievances made by diplomatic staff against the management and individuals in senior management of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been withdrawn following the payment of money in full and final settlements; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: No grievances invoked under the Department's internal procedure, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, have been withdrawn following the payment of money in the past five years.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) Joint Committee (EEC-Andora), (b) EC-Armenia Co-operation Committee and (c) Joint Committee (EEC-Estonia) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The first ever EC-Andorra Joint Committee meeting was held on 25 November this year, chaired by the European Commission. No UK representatives were present.
	There have been no meetings of the Co-operation Committee with Armenia during the UK presidency and the EEC-Estonia Joint Committee no longer exists.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) Joint Committee (EC-Romania) and (b) Joint Committee (EEC-Bulgaria) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There are no Joint Committees as such, but there are EU-Association Committees for both Bulgaria and Romania. One meeting of the EU-Romania Association Committee has taken place under the UK presidency, on 15 July in Bucharest. This was chaired by the European Commission. A representative of the UK presidency was present as an observer. The EU-Bulgaria Association Committee has not met under our presidency. No provision was made for representation of the devolved governments at these meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) EC-Kazakhstan Co-operation Committee, (b) EC-Azerbaijan Co-operation Committee and (c) EC-Kyrgyzstan Co-operation Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: During the UK presidency, there were no meetings of the Co-operation Committees with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
	A Co-operation Committee with Kyrgyzstan took place on 27 September in Brussels. Mr. Kurt Juul, European Commission, led the EU delegation. Mr.Kadyrbek Sarbaev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, led the Kyrgyzstan delegation. For the Presidency, Mr.Simon Smith, Director Russia, South Caucasus and Central Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, attended. No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations at this meeting.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) EC-Uzbekistan Co-operation Committee, (b) Joint Committee (EEC-Turkey) and (c) Joint Committee (EC-Albania) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There were no meetings of the Co-operation Committee with Uzbekistan during the UK Presidency.
	One meeting of the EC-Turkey Customs Union Joint Committee was held in Ankara on 13 December. The delegations were led by a Director-General from the European Commission and a Director-General from the Turkish Under-secretariat for Foreign Trade. British embassy officials in Ankara attended the meeting as observers.
	There were no Joint Committee (EC-Albania) meetings held during the UK Presidency.
	No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations at these meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) Committee on financial and technical assistance and economic cooperation with developing countries in Asia and Latin America, (b) Committee on the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law and on the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and (c) Joint Committee (EEC-Mongolia) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Asia/Latin America Committee met four times during the UK Presidency, in July, September, October and November. The EU Committee on Human Rights and Democracy met once, in October. All these meetings were chaired by senior officials from the European Commission, with attendance by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development. No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations at these meetings.
	There have been no meetings of the EC/Mongolia Joint Committee during the UK Presidency.

Foreign Decorations

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1558W, on foreign decorations, what the outcome of the Committee's considerations was.

Jack Straw: The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals' recommendations will be presented to the Queen shortly. An announcement about the Pingat Jasa Malaysia will be made as quickly as possible.

Immigration

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications to the UK visas section in Islamabad by persons seeking (a) work permits and (b) visas to come to the UK to take up employment in the restaurant trade have been (i)granted and (ii) refused in each of the last five years;and how many of those refused were granted an appeal.

Kim Howells: It is not currently possible to break down UKvisas statistics on work permit applications by the type of work permit the applicant holds. There are various types of work permit and schemes, of which the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) is one. The SBS was introduced in May 2003. However, the total number of work permit holder applications received, issued and refused by the visa section in Islamabad in each of the last five years is given as follows. The figures refer to applications for all types of work permit.
	
		
			  Received Issued Refused 
		
		
			 2000 512 474 38 
			 200102 863 768 95 
			 200203 1,197 1,079 118 
			 200304 3,997 2,969 1,028 
			 200405 4,496 2,442 2,054 
		
	
	Source:
	UKvisas published statistics (www.ukvisas.gov.uk). Please note that prior to financial year 200102, statistics were published by calendar year.
	All applicants for entry clearance as a work permit holder are granted the right of appeal, providing the work permit is valid and the applicant meets any age requirements.

Immigration

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment is made of the knowledge of the restaurant trade of persons seeking (a) work permits and (b) visas from the UK visa section in Islamabad to travel to the UK to take up employment in that trade;
	(2)  what assessment is made by the UK visas section in Islamabad of the requirement of sponsoring persons in the UK restaurant trade to employ people with knowledge of Asian cuisine when considering applications by those seeking (a) work permits and (b) visas.

Kim Howells: People who wanted to come to the UK to work in the restaurant trade had to acquire an immigration employment document (a form of work permit) under the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS). The SBS allowed workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to take up low skill jobs within certain industry sectors for up to 12 months in the UK. On 31 July 2005, the Home Office announced the closure of the hospitality sector of the scheme, which encompasses the restaurant trade.
	All work permit schemes are administered by Work Permits UK (WP (UK)), a division of the Home Office, and they decide all work permit applications by assessing the application against certain criteria of the labour market. For example, WP (UK) will check that the job exists, has been adequately advertised locally and within the EEA and that the proposed job complies with UK labour law and the national minimum wage. As the SBS is for low skill jobs, there is no requirement to employ people with extensive knowledge of a trade. An employer needs only to be aware that a potential employee has a basic understanding of the job they have been offered.
	Once an immigration employment document has been issued under the SBS, the holder should apply for entry clearance. An Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) at one of our visa sections must assess this application against the requirements of paragraph 135 (I) of the Immigration Rules, which are available at www.indhomeoffice.gov.uk.
	ECOs are not asked to assess an applicant's job skills, although they should defer an application and consult WP (UK) if there are obvious doubts about the applicant's physical and/or professional ability to undertake the employment specified and the applicant is unable to give a satisfactory explanation.

Interrogation

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries his Department has made of the use of sensory deprivation as an interrogation technique in foreign countries; whether his Department's travel advice for such countries takes account of such practices where there is sound evidence that they are carried out; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) takes a keen interest in the security and human rights situations in foreign countries. The FCO's travel advice is produced on the basis of all available information relating to risks to British nationals in the country concerned. These will include risks from crime, terrorism and traffic accidents, as well as any other key relevant concerns.

Iran

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the E3 have had with Iran since 20 December 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: E3/EU officials met an Iranian delegation in Vienna on 21 December 2005. The aim was to explore the scope for re-establishing an acceptable framework under which negotiations on long-term arrangements for Iran's nuclear programme might resume. The E3/EU pressed Iran to take steps that would build international confidence that its nuclear programme is for solely peaceful purposes and to address in full the requests of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors. The two sides agreed to hold a further exploratory meeting in January.

Israeli Activities (West Bank)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the decision at the recent EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels not to publish the report by the British Consulate in Jerusalem on Israel's expansionist activities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: As my right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said after the 12 December 2005 General Affairs and External Relations Council,
	we discussed the EU analysis on East Jerusalem submitted to Ministers by heads of mission in the region as well as by various committees here in Brussels. We decided given the changed circumstances in Israel and the Occupied Territories that this would not be endorsed or published and instead that we would continue to make strong representations to the Government of Israel about the matter.

Jamaica

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Jamaica on the legality of homosexuality.

Douglas Alexander: There has been no recent discussion of the issue but our position is well-known. Homosexuality is not illegal in Jamaica, although the country's sodomy laws criminalise certain sexual acts. The Jamaican Deputy Education Minister recently proposed a parliamentary debate on the possible repeal of the relevant legislation. The Government continue to monitor the situation and would welcome such a debate.

Kenya

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Kenya on (a) tackling corruption and (b) promoting good governance.

Ian Pearson: The British High Commissioner in Nairobi met with President Kibaki on 7 November. On Friday 25 November they met again, along with the High Commissioner's US, Canadian and Swedish colleagues.
	Governance issues were discussed as well as the outcome of the referendum vote on the draft constitution on 21 November. The referendum was professionally and fairly administered and the outcome promptly accepted by the President, an important step for democratic accountability in Kenya. At the meeting on 25 November we highlighted the opportunity before the President to constitute a government that was committed to reforms, implementing services and acting against corruption.

Kenya

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the defeat of the proposed new constitution in Kenya in November.

Ian Pearson: In a referendum on a new constitution held on 21 November, 57 per cent. of the Kenyan electorate rejected the draft. As noted in a statement issued on 24 November by a number of diplomatic missions in Nairobi, the Electoral Commission of Kenya conducted a professional referendum process, the outcome of which was accepted by the Kenyan people and the President.
	On 23 November President Kibaki dissolved his cabinet. On 7 December he announced a new team having declared the need for a more cohesive, balanced cabinet, better placed to deliver services and broad based development. Although this process is still on-going, we believe President Kibaki has a renewed opportunity to commit his government to on-going reform and the drive against corruption.

Northern Cyprus

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the purchase and development by British citizens of misappropriated land in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Government warn British citizens of the risks of purchasing property in northern Cyprus that arise from the international community's non-recognition of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the property implications of any future settlement and the claims to ownership of Cypriots displaced in 1974.
	We further warn British citizens that they may face legal proceedings in the Cypriot courts and elsewhere in the EU, including the UK. The Government strongly advises British citizens to seek independent legal advice. This information is publicly available through our Travel Advice on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk) and given in response to all inquiries.

Norway (Whaling)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Norwegian Government regarding cleaning up of Norwegian former whaling stations in South Georgia.

Douglas Alexander: In April 2003 the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands visited Norway to discuss this matter with the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment and the Directorate for Cultural Heritage. There have been a number of discussions since. Norway has not been involved in environmental clean-up work on South Georgia, but the Ministry of the Environment signalled last year its intention to contribute to projects for preserving the cultural heritage of its whaling activities on the Island. As a contribution to this work, last June the Norwegian County of Vestfold pledged 50,000.

Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has put forward names of British women to the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues to the Secretary General to be placed on the central roster of candidates in accordance with Article 3 of the Security Council Resolution 1325.

Ian Pearson: The UK Mission to the United Nations in New York has forwarded the CVs of 11 British women, received from the Women's National Commission, to the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues (OSAGI). OSAGI has contacted successful applicants direct.

Orhan Pamuk

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Turkey on the prosecution of Orhan Pamuk;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the implications of the prosecution of Orhan Pamuk for Turkish membership of the EU.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given in another place by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, on 20 December to the noble Lord Judd (HL2879).

Public Relations Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by his Department and other such organisations since May 1997.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, its Diplomatic Missions overseas and its non-departmental public bodies occasionally employ public relations companies but details are not recorded centrally. To provide a breakdown listing individual PR contracts signed by the Department and the bodies for which it is responsible could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Russia (Missiles Sales)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Russia on the sale of missiles to Iran.

Douglas Alexander: We are in close touch with the Russians about Iran, both bilaterally and through the EU, and as part of the E3/EU. We have made clear our concerns about Russian arms sales to Iran in a number of recent exchanges at official level, including on 6, 9 and 13 December. The established policy of the EU is not to sell arms to Iran.

Uganda

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking as chair of the UN Security Council towards a resolution of the conflict in Northern Uganda; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Uganda on the access of UK non-governmental organisations to the north of Uganda;
	(3)  how many (a) letters, (b) faxes and (c) emails his Department has received from members of the public about the conflict in Northern Uganda since 1 December; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what support the UK Government are giving the Government of Uganda to facilitate a peaceful solution to the conflict with the Lord's Resistance Army; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Assisting in the resolution of the conflict in Northern Uganda, and addressing its humanitarian impact, are priorities for the Government. During the UK's presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council in December 2005, we invited Jan Egeland, the UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to provide a briefing on humanitarian issues in Africa. This took place on 19 December and included the situation in Northern Uganda. A group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have written to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary advocating a UN Security Council Resolution. This has since been supplemented to date by correspondence from about 1,000 members of the public. We are currently considering their ideas and how we can most effectively continue to address the situation in Northern Uganda.
	In our discussions with the Ugandan Government, we emphasise the need to bring peace to Northern Uganda, provide adequate protection for the people of the North and those NGOs and aid agencies working there, and encourage those Lord's Resistance Army members not indicted by the International Criminal Court to seek amnesty and reintegration into their communities.
	The UK has also provided support for specific peace initiatives, including the recent mediation effort led by Betty Bigombe, a former Ugandan Minister. We provide practical help to the Ugandan Amnesty Commission, which is helping to reintegrate former combatants, and have also helped establish a local radio station, MEGA FM, which, through its programming, helps promote peace.

UK Embassies/Consulates

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British (a) embassies and (b) consulates there are.

Douglas Alexander: The United Kingdom has 102 embassies, 40 high commissions, and 76 consulates.

United States (Treatment of Prisoners)

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the United States Administration about the amendment to the US 2006 Defence Appropriations Bill which would forbid the use of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment against any person in the custody of or controlled by the United States in any part of the world.

Kim Howells: We welcome the recent agreement in the US to incorporate language into the Defence Appropriations Bill explicitly prohibiting the use of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by US personnel anywhere in the world. This sends a positive message that the US is committed to fighting terrorism while reaffirming its adherence to the rule of law and its respect for human rights. All forms of torture are of course strictly prohibited under US law and, as Secretary Rice and President Bush both recently clarified, this applies to all US personnel around the world.
	We continue to engage fully and frankly with the US on these issues.

World Trade Organisation

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the EU's proposal for World Trade Organisation negotiations.

Ian Pearson: The European Commission is bound by a negotiating mandate granted by the Council of Ministers but has the freedom to determine strategy and tactics within the parameters of that mandate. The assessment of Her Majesty's Government is that the offers tabled by the European Commission on 10 and 28 October are within the remit of the negotiating mandate.
	Her Majesty's Government continues to give its full backing to Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, in his conduct of the negotiations and is committed to achieving an ambitious, pro-development conclusion to the DDA by the end of 2006.
	I refer the hon. Member to the Statement to the House made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 20 December 2005.

Zimbabwe/Congo

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in Zimbabwe.

Ian Pearson: Zimbabweans continue to suffer from the failure of their government's policies: the economy is shrinking, inflation is over 500 per cent. and millions require international food aid. Six months after mass housing demolitions, many Zimbabweans remain homeless. Meanwhile, the November 2005 Senate elections have done nothing to restore democratic governance.
	The Government have responded by: providing further humanitarian aid to Zimbabweans, 40 million in 2005; maintaining a firm EU approach; focusing United Nations Security Council attention on the matter; and pressing Zimbabwe's neighbours to address the continuing economic, humanitarian and political crisis created by the Government of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe/Congo

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the safety and security of civilians in (a) Zimbabwe and (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ian Pearson: Zimbabweans continue to face politically motivated violence and intimidation perpetrated by the state. For instance, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisations Forum estimates that there were 43 cases of assault in October 2005, most by the army or police. On 5 December, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted a resolution expressing concern about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. This is available at http://www.zlhr.org.zw/media/releases/jan_02_06.htm
	Years of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), exacerbated by corruption, illegal exploitation of resources and the collapse of the state, have led to human rights abuses and a high level of crime. Security Sector Reform is one of the primary aims of the EU's support to the DRC transitional government. We hope that the political transition in the DRC will culminate in the election of a democratic government by mid-2006, which should provide the framework for sustained improvements in the security and human rights situation.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk) provides travel advice for Zimbabwe and the DRC, warning of the risks to travellers, and providing background information on the human rights situation.

CABINET OFFICE

Central Information Office

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil service persons are employed in the Central Information Office; and how many were employed in 1997.

Jim Murphy: At the end of November 2005 there were 646.7 full-time equivalent staff, including fixed term contract staff employed in the Central Office of Information.
	The corresponding figure for 1997 (199697 outturn) was 500.8.

Civil Service

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to be in a position to bring forward a Civil Service Bill.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 159 to the my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright).

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department spent on bottled water in 200405.

Jim Murphy: The provision of water dispensers/coolers in the Cabinet Office, which are located in reception and common areas, are provided as part of the total facilities management contract. The cost in 200405 was 23,000. The figure excludes the National School for Government in Sunningdale and the Emergency Planning College in York as such costs are included within an overall service charge paid as part of a public private partnership/private finance initiative and multi-activity facilities management contract, respectively.
	Costs identified for the provision of bottled water for hospitality purposes would not fully reflect the Cabinet Office as a whole as other such costs are either included within an overall service charge and therefore cannot be separately identified or obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants in his Department worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Murphy: Cabinet Office does not hold figures on the number of employees who have worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year.
	Cabinet Office recognises occasional working from home as an option available to employees within our flexible working policy. The policy also includes flexi-time, condensed hours and part-time/term time working. Employees agree their work patterns with line managers, and these are managed at local unit levels. Employees can participate in a formal departmental staff network for those working part-time and alternative working patterns.

Departmental Websites

Alan Duncan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which companies provided sponsorship towards the cost of his Department's getsafeonline website; how much each provided; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Get Safe Online is a joint public and private sector initiative to raise awareness of internet security among the general public and micro-businesses. Its main emphasis is a new website, www.getsafeonline.org, which provides reliable, trustworthy and up-to-date information about online safety to give home users and small businesses the advice they need to use the internet safely.
	There are 10 founding sponsors of Get Safe Online including the Cabinet Office. Each of the following organisations has contributed 150,000 including advertising/public relations contributions to the promotion of the campaign: BT, Cabinet Office, Dell, eBay, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Message Labs, Microsoft, Secure Trading and Yell.com.
	Both industry and Government have an interest in making the internet a safe place for people to go about their business. Just as the retail and financial sectors need to ensure that their customers feel secure in shopping and banking online so do we in Government want to make sure that people have the necessary trust and confidence in using Government services online.
	We are very pleased to be involved in Get Safe Online. It has been a very good example of Government, private sector and law enforcement coming together to address an issue that affects us all. We are continuing our involvement and will work with the other sponsors to ensure the ongoing success of the campaign.

Departmental Websites

Alan Duncan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many IT companies have provided sponsorship for his Department's getsafeonline website; and which of these companies are UK-based.

Jim Murphy: Get Safe Online is a joint public and private sector initiative to raise awareness of internet security among the general public and micro-businesses. Its main emphasis is a new website, www.getsafeonline.org, which provides reliable, trustworthy and up-to-date information about online safety to give home users and small businesses the advice they need to use the internet safely.
	The campaign is driven by sponsorship in from Government as well as the retail, financial and technology sectors. There are three sponsor organisations which could be broadly termed as information technology companies. These are: Dell, Message Labs and Microsoft. Of these, Message Labs is the only UK based company. The sponsorship provided by these companies and the other sponsors is not only for the website but for the marketing and public relations activity to promote awareness of internet security as well as the website.

Government Information Service

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the running costs of the Government Information Service were in each year since 1997.

Jim Murphy: The Government Communication Group (GCG) in the Cabinet Office is the central unit now responsible for standards in Government communication, the professional network for Government communicators and cross-departmental co-ordination of communications. Its expenditure and that of its predecessor the Government Information and Communication Service are shown in the table; no figures are available for years before 199899. GCG's budget allocation for 200506 is 2,388,000.
	
		Expenditure of Government Information and Communication Service -- 000
		
			  Expenditure 
		
		
			 199899 543 
			 19992000 513 
			 200001 570 
			 200102 805 
			 200203 4,510 
			 200304 2,374 
			 200405 1,295 
		
	
	Costs have varied significantly over this period as various functions have been transferred into and out of GCG/GICS and it has taken on new projects. The most significant changes have been:
	responsibility for emergency communications co-ordination from 200102 to 200304;
	organising HM Queen's Jubilee media facilities in 200203;
	the 200506 Budget reflects the impact of implementing the Phillis review, an independent review of Government communications, which the Government accepted in 2004 and which established a new Government communication network and a Government communication group, including responsibility for co-ordinating cross-departmental communication issues.

Ministerial Committee on London

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many times the Ministerial Committee on London has met in the last 12 months.

Jim Murphy: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees, including the number of times they have met.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

African Parliaments

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government have taken to establish partnerships to strengthen (a) parliaments in Africa and (b) the pan-African Parliament since the publication of the Commission for Africa report; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: In support of partnerships to strengthen African Parliaments, DFID has recently provided 282,000 to the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) to support the establishment of three new African 'Chapters' (or regional networks). The PNoWB will help build the capacity of parliamentarians in Africa to be more effective advocates for national policies and plans focused on tackling poverty. This will be achieved through enhancing their role as legislators, and strengthening their capacity to hold their Governments to account and scrutinise the role of donors. Our support will also help build links with developed country Parliaments and development partners, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the African Union (AU) and the African Union-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AU/NEPAD), and other parliamentary organisations in Africa.
	The PAP receives its core funding from the AU's regular budget. It held its first inaugural session in March 2004, and as a young organisation is still primarily focused on adopting its rules and procedures. DFID has not, as yet received any request for funds for support to the PAP, but would be happy to consider such a request in due course.

Coca Production

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has given to facilitate sustainable alternatives to coca production in the Andes region.

Hilary Benn: The most recent bilateral project supported by DFID on coca production in the Andes region was in the Lower Huallaga Valley of Peru, whichaimed to promote economic and institutional development and increase rural incomes in order to reduce the illegal cultivation of coca. This six year project with a commitment of 3.2 million ended in December 2004. Assistance in the Andes region is now part of DFID's Regional Assistance Plan for Latin America, working closely with International Finance Institutions (particularly the World Bank and Inter American Development Bank) to improve the poverty impact of their programmes in the region.
	Programmes to develop sustainable alternatives to coca production are an important element of the European Union's assistance to the region, which DFID supports through its 18 per cent. contribution. The EU has Country Assistance Strategies with each Andean region country that are consistent with EU policies and those of country governments. The fight against drugs takes a special place in the EU's relationship with the Andean region, with a unique EU-Andean region High Level Specialised Dialogue on Drugs. The EU has welcomed the recent Comprehensive Andean Strategy on Alternative Development.

Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total staffing level is of his Department's office in Congo; and what the expected level is for 200607.

Hilary Benn: The DFID office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) currently has a complement of 33 permanent members of staff. Staff numbers are due to increase to 35 during 2006.

Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support has been given to the rehabilitation of child soldiers in Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: In April 2002 DFID, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) agreed to use the Africa Conflict Prevention Pooled Fund to channel US$25 million over 5 years, to the World Bank-led regional Multi-country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme (MDRP). This multi-country initiative finances the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Re-integration (DDR) programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) among others in the region. The MDRP funds four special sub-projects in the DRC that focus specifically on the demobilisation and reintegration of child soldiers, both boys and girls, into their home communities.
	The most recent review of the MDRP in the DRC, states that as of September 2005, 14,478 child soldiers had been released from armed forces and entrusted to child protection agencies; some 7,794 had been reunified with their families, 5,895 had been reintegrated in the education system, and 4,001 were receiving vocational training.

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list departmental projects conducted by consultants in each year since 2000; what the cost was in each case; and what the total cost of employing consultants was in each year.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Member for Cheltenham to the answer given on 21 October 2004, Official Report, column 850W, which lists DFID consultancy contracts for the Development Programme to 31 March 2004. Ihave arranged for the document entitled 'Consultancy Contracts issued from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005' to be placed in the Libraries of the House. This does not include lower-value contracts issued by DFID's overseas offices, of which there is no consolidated central record. It would incur a disproportionate cost to produce a list of those contracts.
	The total cost of consultants in each year is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Total cost of consultants ( million) 
		
		
			 200001 194 
			 200102 210 
			 200203 222 
			 200304 215 
			 200405 219 
		
	
	Source:
	Statistics on International DevelopmentDate: 3 November 2005.

Darfur

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  whether the World Health Organisation intends to conduct a mortality survey in Darfur;
	(2)  what representations have been made within (a) the EU and (b) the UN in support of a mortality survey in Darfur;
	(3)  what steps have been taken by his Department to conduct a comprehensive mortality survey in Darfur.

Hilary Benn: The UN released the report of its second mortality survey in Darfur in October 2005. The overall findings, which cover the period from November 2004 to May 2005, are that mortality rates are below crisis levels, but still elevated. The only exception is in South Darfur, where under-five mortality was above crisis levels. When compared to the previous survey in August 2004, it can be concluded that the international humanitarian response has had a significant impact in saving lives. However the situation remains precarious.
	Estimates of deaths in Darfur vary from 70,000 to 400,000. Accurate figures are not available. The two mortality surveys, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) co-ordinated, only provide a snapshot of the situation and we are unlikely ever to get a full picture of deaths from this conflict. The undertaking of mortality surveys has proved difficult in Darfur due to the security situation. While not comprehensive, these WHO surveys do provide a useful understanding of the situation and how it is changing.
	DFID contributed to the funding of this last survey as these offer a means to gauge the effectiveness of the relief operation and, specifically, to improve the healthcare response. The UN has indicated it would be desirable to do further surveys in Darfur in the future. DFID will continue to support the UN to undertake these.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent on advertising by (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997.

Hilary Benn: DFID does not hold a separate advertising budget. Spend on advertising, including VAT, for the five calendar years 200004 is as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 2000 751,972 
			 2001 1,208,192 
			 2002 914,571 
			 2003 849,196 
			 2004 700,077 
		
	
	Expenditure figures prior to 2000 are not available and figures for 2005 have still to be finalised. DFID does not directly fund advertising by non-departmental public bodies, Executive agencies or independent statutory bodies.

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on bottled water in 200405.

Hilary Benn: DFID spent 2,432 on bottled water in the UK during 200405. This sum relates to, and includes the rental cost of, the provision of water coolers. Information on bottled water supplied at meetings, or similar expenditure in overseas offices, is not held centrally and cannot be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what percentage of the jobs in (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) executive agency and (iii) other public body for which his Department is responsible are located in (A) Scotland, (B) England, excluding Greater London, (C) Greater London, (D) Wales, (E) Northern Ireland and (F)overseas.

Hilary Benn: The figures regarding job locations are published in Civil Service Statistics and this information is available at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_service/statistics/civil_ service_statistics/index.asp.
	Within these figures some 453 staff, around a quarter of DFID's home based civil service work force, are currently serving in our offices overseas.
	In addition to the above numbers, DFID also employs 917 staff appointed in country overseas.
	There are no other non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies or other public bodies for which DFID is responsible.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many civil servants inhis Department worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not hold centrally comprehensive data on all staff who work from home for at least one day a week and this information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	DFID is committed to providing a working environment which values our work force. One of the ways in which we do this is to make it possible for all staff to balance the demands of work and their commitments outside the office. Flexible working in various forms, including access to home working on a regular or occasional basis, has existed in DFID for some years.

Developing Countries

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the aid and debt relief for developing countries in the Communique following the G8 summit at Gleneagles is targeted at people living in extreme poverty.

Hilary Benn: Agreement was reached on increasing the volume of official development assistance (ODA) provided by the G8 and other donors by US$50 billion a year by 2010. ODA is defined as aid flows to the poorest countries, as set out in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of ODA recipients. Under the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, relief will be delivered to heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) that have demonstrated their commitment to poverty reduction. The additional aid and debt relief will be used to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals that aim to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2010.

Developing Countries

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people he estimates will be living in extreme poverty in developing countries by 2015 by (a) country and (b) continent.

Hilary Benn: DFID does not produce any estimates of the number of people living in extreme poverty. The World Bank produces annual estimates at regional and global level of the numbers of people living in extreme poverty. These estimates are based on the number of people living on less than $1 per day. They do not publish country level estimates, except for China. The latest estimates were published in Global Economic Prospects 2006, table 1.3, as follows.
	
		Millions of people living on less than $1 per day
		
			  1990 2002 2015 
		
		
			 East Asia and the Pacific 472 214 14 
			 China 375 180 11 
			 Rest of East Asia and the Pacific 97 34 2 
			 Europe and Central Asia 2 10 4 
			 Latin America and the Caribbean 49 42 29 
			 Middle East and North Africa 6 5 3 
			 South Asia 462 437 232 
			 Sub-Saharan Africa 227 303 336 
			 Total 1,218 1,011 617

Developing Countries

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the number of people lifted out of extreme poverty as a result of pro-poor funding by his Department in developing countries in each of the past 10 years for which records are available, broken down by (a) country and (b) continent.

Hilary Benn: DFID has not produced such an assessment. Globally over 200 million people have been lifted out of poverty between 1990 and 2002 1 . DFID funding has directly contributed to this through funding to developing country governments, civil society, the private sector as well as to multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies, and the European Commission.
	1 Table 1.3, Global Economic Prospects 2006, World Bank.

Developing Countries

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds his Department has provided for pro-poor programmes in developing countries in each of the past 10 years for which records are available, broken down by (a) country and (b) continent.

Hilary Benn: I have arranged to place copies of a document entitled Expenditure by the Department for International Development on Development Assistance to Developing Countries from 1995/96 to 2004/05, setting out the bilateral expenditure by DFID on Development Assistance to developing countries over the past 10 years in the Libraries of the House. DFID also provides funding to-multilateral institutions which will benefit these developing countries.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on implementation of humanitarian aid operations and (b) Joint Committee (EEC-Co(r)te d'Ivoire) have taken place during the UK Presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Humanitarian Aid Committee (MAC) operates independently of the Presidency. It is convened and chaired by the Commission and is constituted for member states to assist the Commission with implementation of Council Regulation No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid. The EC's humanitarian aid programme provides assistance, relief and protection to victims of natural disasters and man-made crises in third countries, as well as preparedness for risks of natural disasters. It approves annual allocations (global plans) to countries suffering chronic humanitarian crises, as well as emergency response to disasters. The HAG meets on average, once a month, excluding August. In addition to this, each Presidency usually holds an informal MAC to discuss issues of substance in more detail.
	The Humanitarian Aid Committee has met four times during the UK Presidency, in September, October, November and December. The UK was represented by officials from DFID's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department. These meetings were chaired by the Commission, either the Director General or Deputy Director of DG the EC Humanitarian Office (ECHO). In October it also met in informal session in London and was then chaired jointly by the ECHO Director General and by DFID's Director of UN Conflict and Humanitarian Division.
	The UK Government take into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12- 15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister, of which copies are available on the internetand can be found at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_600629.pdf
	We are not aware of any meetings of a joint EECCote d'Ivoire committee.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings of the (a) European Development Fund Committee, (b) Advisory Committee on the special system of assistance to traditional ACP suppliers of bananas, (c) Committee on co-financing operations with European non-governmental organisations in fields of interest to developing countries and (d) Committee on food security and food aid have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; why other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The European Development Fund Committee met four times during the UK presidency, in July, September, October and November 2005. The Advisory Committee on the special system of assistance to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) suppliers of bananas met once, in November 2005. All these meetings were chaired by senior officials from the European Commission, with attendance by officials from the Department for International Development and the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union.
	There have been no meetings of the Food Security and Food Aid Management Committee or the Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Co-financing Management Committee during the UK presidency.
	As a matter of law, all foreign policy issues and relations with the European Union are non-devolved and are the responsibility of the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom as a member state. It is the responsibility of the lead Whitehall Department formally to notify the devolved administrations at official level of any new EU obligation which concerns devolved matters. The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters.

GM Crops

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of (a) departmental expenditure and (b) departmental funding for research was allocated to the development of GM crops in each of the last three years.

Hilary Benn: The proportion of (a) DFID departmental expenditure and (b) departmental funding for research allocated to the development of GM crops in each of the last three years is as follows:
	(a) No departmental expenditure with the exception of research figures below.
	(b) Research commissioned by DFID as a proportion of DFID's research budget: 200304 0.37 per cent; 200405 0.35 per cent.; and for 200506 0.23 per cent. (predicted).

GM Crops

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of GM crops on (a) least developed countries and (b) middle income countries.

Hilary Benn: Our approach to GM crops and their potential impact on developing countries very seriously. Our approach is based on the principle that the health of people and of the environment is of primary concern. We recognise that GM technology in itself will not solve the problem of world hunger. Our assessment of the impact of GM crops is that they can however be used safely and effectively to promote development and reduce poverty, if managed responsibly and applied to those crops on which the poor rely.
	DFID does not actively promote or not promote the use of GM technologies in developing countries.
	Recognising that there are both potential benefits and risks associated with GM crops, developing countries should be able to make their own informed choices about whether to adopt GM technologies. To this end, DFID has helped fund research into Genetically Modified crops and their potential use in developing countries. The proportion of DFID's research spent on GM crops research has been 0.37 per cent. in 200304 and 0.35 per cent. in 200405 and is predicted to be 0.23 per cent. for 200506. This research has not involved assessing either (a) least developed countries or (b) middle income countries as a whole; projects have looked at more specific issues.
	DFID also worked with the Department for the Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFRA) and other Government Departments to support international negotiations to establish the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Protocol will work to ensure that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of genetically modified organisms. It will also facilitate the exchange of information on living modified organisms even if there is a lack of scientific certainty on the extent of such potential adverse effects.

HIV/AIDS

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the oral answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 984 on HIV/AIDS, what policy measures his Department are implementing to ensure that the target of universal access to antiretroviral drugs is met by 2010.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 19 December 2005
	Gleneagles secured an important agreement
	to develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of as close as possible to universal access to treatment for all those who need it by 2010.
	Progress has been made since Gleneagles. The universal access commitment was also agreed by members states at the Millennium Summit in September. Building on these commitments, the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have set up a Global Steering Committee (GSC), co-chaired by the UK and UNAIDS. The focus of the GSC will be to clarify and prioritise the major obstacles that impede scale-up of prevention, treatment, care and support services in individual countries and communities and to identify appropriate solutions and actions. The GSC will meet for the first time in Washington DC on 910 January 2006 and is expected to provide a progress report to the High Level UN General Assembly Special Session in mid 2006.
	The initial GSC discussions will focus on:
	Adequate financing for scaled up AIDS responses (including addressing the macroeconomic constraints).
	Human resource capacity and health, social and education system constraints.
	Affordable commodities and low-cost technologies.
	Human rights, stigma, discrimination and gender equity.
	The role of targets and milestones in driving national efforts to scale up AIDS responses.
	Internationally, there is a strong, shared commitment to joint action on universal access and that efforts must:
	be country-owned and country-led;
	develop a package which balances treatment, prevention and carea comprehensive response is essential to achieve the ambitious 2010 goal;
	situate actions to achieve Universal Access in wider efforts to eradicate poverty, strengthening broader services, including health services;
	involve all key players: civil society, private sector, donors and affected countries.

Humanitarian Programmes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken by his Department in support of the UN's appeal for$4.7 billion to fund humanitarian programmes in 2006.

Hilary Benn: The United Nations Humanitarian Appeal 2006, covers 26 countries and seeks to support some 231 million people worldwide. We are considering the various Consolidated Appeals and Country Plans in consultation with other donors and will decide on an appropriate United Kingdom contribution to the respective Appeals and Plans shortly.
	In conjunction with some other donors, DFID is piloting a more flexible way of funding the appeals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan. We intend to provide significant contributions to both, as unearmarked funding for the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator to deploy on the highest priority unmet needs in the appeal. We have also pledged 40 million to the reformed Central Emergency Response Fund that was launched at the United Nations Millennium Review summit, as a way of promoting faster response and greater equity in humanitarian funding. This will be available for the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator to deploy on underfunded appeals, as well as on new crises that arise.

Millennium Development Goals

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Millennium Development Goal 1 is met in sub-Saharan Africa by 2015.

Hilary Benn: DFID assistance to Africa will be over 1 billion in 200506 rising to at least 1.25 billion in 200708, targeted on the Millennium Development Goals. The G8 agreed at the Gleneagles summit to double aid to Africa by 2010.
	In addition, boosting economic growth is fundamental to making progress with eradicating extreme poverty and hunger (Millennium Development Goal 1). This requires more private sector investment, better roads to link producers to markets, and increasing the benefit Africa receives from regional and global trade. These are all areas in which DFID is actively engaged. For example, DFID will provide 21 million to the African UnionNew Partnership for Africa's Development (AU-NEPAD) Investment Climate Facility which will help improve the environment for the private sector. DFID also acts to help ensure growth benefits the poorestsuch as helping to increase the productivity of agriculture and creating jobs in non-agricultural labour markets.
	DFID is also working to halve the number of people facing hunger in Africa by 2015. This often means providing humanitarian support for the effects of drought. During 2005 for example, DFID provided 64 million humanitarian relief to southern Africa alone.
	While continuing to respond promptly to crises, we are working to tackle chronic hunger more effectively. Poverty is an important factor. When large numbers of people live below the poverty line, even the smallest of shocks can lead to destitution and hunger. DFID is aiming to help countries that suffer from chronic hunger to establish safety nets to protect the most vulnerable from hunger (such as the elderly or orphans) and stop others falling into destitution as a result of shocks like drought or illness.
	For example, in Ethiopia we are giving 70 million over three years to support a programme which aims to provide people with predictable and regular transfers of cash and food. This helps meet food gaps while also allowing households to invest in health, education or increase their farm production. In this way, safety nets can also serve as a springboard for poor households which can otherwise struggle to participate in economic growth. We aim to scale up this approach in Zambia, Kenya, Malawi and Lesotho over 2006.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many parliamentary questions to his Department in the period November 2004 to April 2005, were answered with the response that the information requested (a) is not held centrally and (b) could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost; how many were referred on to an agency chief executive; and what percentage of the total number of questions asked this constituted in each case.

Hilary Benn: For the period between November 2004 to April 2005, there were 834 parliamentary questions tabled to DFID; of which none were referred to an agency chief executive for answering and eight were answered with the response that the information is not held centrally or that the response could be obtained only by incurring a disproportionate cost.

Public Relations Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by his Department and other such organisations since May 1997.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development (DFID) use consultants to cover a range of activities The following public relations companies have been used since 1997:
	Brunswick Group
	Weber Shandwick
	LLM Communications
	Financial Dynamics
	Cubitt Consulting
	Bell Pottinger Public Affairs

Public Service Agreements

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what systems are in place to measure his Department's progress against its publicservice agreement targets; and what baselines are used.

Hilary Benn: Progress against the Department for International Development's public service agreement (PSA) targets is assessed twice-yearly in DFID's autumn performance reports and departmental reports. The most recent analysis of progress against the Department for International Development's public service agreement (PSA) targets for the period 2003 to 2006 was published in the autumn performance report 2005, which was laid before Parliament on 9 December 2005. It is available both in hard copy in the Libraries of the House and electronically on DFID's website (http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/autumnperfreport05.pdf).
	The technical note to DFID's 200508 public service agreement provides full details of the indicators and methodologies which are used to monitor performance against the targets. The technical note is available on DFID's website www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/PSA/technicalnotes.pdf
	Both the twice-yearly reports and the technical note contain information on the baselines used for DFID's PSA targets.

Public Service Agreements

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of its progress towards reaching its 2003 to 2006 public service agreement targets.

Hilary Benn: Progress against the Department for International Development's public service agreement (PSA) targets is assessed twice-yearly in DFID's autumn performance reports and departmental reports. The most recent analysis of progress against the Department for International Development's public service agreement (PSA) targets for the period 2003 to 2006 was published in the autumn performance report 2005, which was laid before Parliament on 9 December 2005. It is available both in hard copy in the Libraries of the House and electronically on DFID's website (http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/autumnperfreport05.pdf). Updated assessments of performance against all PSA targets and sub-targets will be provided in DFID's departmental report 2006, which we expect to be published in late April.

Rwanda

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the cost to Rwanda of refugees from the war in eastern Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Rwanda have established a National Council for Refugees, linked to the Ministry for Local Government and Community Affairs. The Council has responsibility for verifying the status of refugees, for refugee welfare and safety including resettlement, and where appropriate for repatriation. The Council estimates that there are up to 40,000 Congolese refugees currently in Rwanda.
	The Council does not have a large budget but relies mostly on funding from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR's office in Rwanda estimates costs related to the care and maintenance of Congolese refugees in Rwanda to be about US $26,826,000 over the past five years. Annual programme expenditure figures (in US$) are as follows:
	
		
			  US$ 
		
		
			 2000 3,619,591 
			 2001 4,143,936 
			 2002 3,634,261 
			 2003 3,736,246 
			 2004 3,894,721 
			 2005 4,178,046 
		
	
	These figures do not include Government of Rwanda or UNHCR staff costs.

Western Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of the withdrawal of UN staff from western Sudan on (a) the humanitarian situation and (b) the internally displaced persons camps.

Hilary Benn: The UN has gradually reduced its staff in West Darfur in the last quarter of 2005 due to the deteriorating security situation. On 5 January, the UN also raised their security levels to Phase IV in some parts of West Darfur. An estimated 450,000 people are thought to be affected in this area.
	This change instigates the move for the UN to emergency operations and life-saving humanitarian relief activities only. The change requires humanitarian agencies to reduce the number of staff in the area, and limit movement areas into designated as insecure. Non-essential staff will be redeployed within the Darfur region to continue operations in key locations. Many UN agencies have already substantially reduced non-essential staff, so further reductions due to the rise in the security level are likely to be limited.
	The UN is continuing to make every effort to provide life-saving assistance, including emergency food and health services, as well as the provision of water and shelter to people in camps and other affected populations throughout Darfur. The current insecurity will, however, inevitably have an impact on their capacity to do so.
	The UN are currently assessing their operational needs, and are finalising contingency plans in the event of any further deterioration of the situation in West Darfur and Eastern Chad.
	DFID remains particularly concerned about this situation and are ready to provide assistance if required.

World Trade Organisation Summit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people he estimates will be lifted out of poverty as a result of the agreements made at the World Trade Organisation summit in Hong Kong.

Hilary Benn: Despite the modest progress made at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks in Hong Kong, it is not possible at this stage to give any meaningful estimate of the numbers of people that could be lifted out of poverty as a result for two broad reasons. First, the nature of the agreement reached in Hong Kong, and second because the ministerial conference was just a staging post along the way to conclusion of the Doha Round of talks as a whole. For example, although Ministers agreed that developed countries would give duty and quota free access to their markets for the least developed countries (LDC), there is some flexibility to exclude 3 per cent. of tariff lines during a transition period of indeterminate length. The risk is that developed countries will apply them to precisely those products where the poorest countries have the best chance to export.
	On cotton, although agreement was reached on granting duty and quota free access to LDC cotton producers, the bigger problem of tackling US domestic support has not yet been resolved. Although there was agreement on ending agricultural export subsidies and other equivalent measures, this will not be complete until 2013, it is not clear precisely how the phasing out will be achieved, and the more critical issue of agricultural market access for developing countries has also not been resolved, yet despite these uncertainties, the WTO director general, Pascal Lamy, has judged that we are now more than half way to the final deal, and it has set out a potential route-agreement of the final architecture of a deal in agriculture and industrial goods by the end of April 2006; and the substantive conclusion of the round by the end of 2006.

World Trade Organisation Summit

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent World Trade Organisation talks.

Hilary Benn: I refer my hon. Friend for Coventry South to the statement made to the House on 20 December 2005, Official Report, columns 171012, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

DEFENCE

Administrative Costs

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total administration costs for his core Department are; and whether these are regarded as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence budget does not include a formal administrative costs control. Defence administrative costs are regarded as 'non-identifiable' for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses and are contained within this heading in the PESA.

Armed Forces Helpline

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timetable has been agreed for each stage of development of armed forces helpline standards; on what date he intends to issue a Ministry of Defence policy letter on the issue; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

Don Touhig: A number of options have been identified for the development of Service helplines. These options are now subject to further discussion with the Equal Opportunities Commission and I will write to my hon. Friend when a course of action has been decided upon.

Armour Land Rovers

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made to armour land rovers in the Gulf.

Adam Ingram: Both armoured and non-armoured vehicles are available for use in Iraq. The choice of vehicle for a particular task on an operation will depend on the Commander's assessment of the current threat level and nature of the task.

Bicester Storage Site

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian staff are employed at the storage and distribution site at Bicester; and how many of these are employed by (a) contractors and (b) agencies.

Adam Ingram: As at 1 November 2005, the number of civilian staff employed in the Defence Distribution and Storage Agency, in the South East Government Office Region was 1,130 Full Time Equivalent (FTE). The number of civilian staff employed in the South East Government Office Region was 16,900 Full time Equivalent (FTE).
	Robust data on contractors and agency staff are not held centrally by the Department.
	However, local information indicates that as at 1 November 2005, the number of civilian staff employed in the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, on the Bicester site was approximately 800 people with approximately 40 agency staff. No local records are kept of the number of contractors employed.

Congo (Peacekeeping Forces)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution has been made by the UK to the UN peacekeeping forces in the Congo for each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The UK provided five officers to the UN Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in 2004. Our contribution increased to six in early 2005 on the reorganisation of the force structure and remains at that level. The British officers fill key influential posts, notably that of Chief of Staff in the eastern division headquarters in Kisangani and military adviser to the force commander. On short term attachments, we provided two officers to assist in training the eastern division headquarters staffs in late January 2005 and one officer to an UN intelligence assessment mission to MONUC in mid-April 2005.

Defence Systems and Equipment Exhibition

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defencewhich companies at the Defence Systems and Equipment International 2005 exhibition exhibited (a) stun guns, (b) leg irons and (c) stun batons; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The DTI is not responsible for authorising displays at this exhibition, and the question should be referred to the organisers.
	The DTI's role is limited to the issue of export licences where these are required, e.g. for the re-export of goods on display after the exhibition, or the promotion of trade in controlled or restricted goods between third countries. On that basis, we are not aware of the display of any of the goods specified.

Defence Training Review

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether an employment impact assessment has been made in relation to the Defence Training Review as it relates to Cosford and St. Athan.

Don Touhig: The Defence Training Review Programme is currently evaluating the bidding consortia's proposals. This includes reviewing the possible implications for employment in any of the regions in the United Kingdom affected by the DTR Programme. Such an assessment, however, cannot be concluded until the evaluation process is complete and this is not expected before spring 2006.

Defence Training Review

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunities the Defence Training Review will provide for employees affected by the closure of ABRO in Telford.

Don Touhig: The Defence Training Review is currently evaluating the bidding consortia's proposals. Until this phase is complete and a decision has been taken to select a preferred training partner, I am not in a position to make any detailed comment on the wider impact of the DTR solution.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defencewhat research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Adam Ingram: Details of the Ministry of Defence's research programme are contained in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts. A copy of this document is available in the Library of the House.
	The Ministry of Defence placed research work worth around 524 million in 200304, the last year for which figures are available. Most research projects generate classified data and are not published in the open literature but form the basis of decisions on policy, planning and future equipment procurement. Areas of general academic interest, where appropriate, are published in relevant journals.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of each Civil Service grade in his Department is located in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Cabinet Office will write to the hon. Member with details for the civil service of the percentage of staff in post by region and grade responsibility and the median salary of staff in post by region and grade responsibility as at 1 April 2004. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken by his Department to support staff with mental ill health.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence is supportive of all staff with mental ill health. The support provided varies dependent upon whether the individual is a member of the armed forces or a civil servant.
	The Department has over the last three years operated a stress policy laid down in Joint Service Publication 375. This publication can be found on the internet, (www.mod.uk/dsc/ohs/jsp375.htm). This policy is supplemented by procedures that were designed to assist with mental ill health and stress reduction when identified in an individual. The Department also has policies to support individuals with alcohol and drug dependencies.
	The MOD has particular responsibility for the mental health of members of the armed forces (including reservists on deployment) and specific measures are in place to prevent and treat stress-related disorders among service personnel, as well as civilians deployed in support of operations. These include pre and post-deployment briefings and access to trained mental health staff both during and after deployments.
	Service personnel, both regular and reservist, returning from operational deployment are offered a 23 day period of 'normalisation' during which they receive a post-deployment briefing pack. This includes two leaflets and a presentation, covering post-traumatic stress reactions and the problems that may be encountered on returning home to families. Returning personnel also receive guidance on whom to consult if they experience post deployment problems, including their commanders, padres, social workers and health care staff.
	Out-patient mental health treatment for the armed forces takes place at 13 MOD Departments of community mental health located throughout the UK and three satellite centres in Cyprus, Germany and Gibraltar. In-patient treatment, when required, has been provided by The Priory Group since April 2004.
	For civilian staff, medical advice on the specific condition must be a personal responsibility available through the individual's GP and the NHS. The Department provides occupational health (OH) advice and support through its OH advisers, Capita Health Solutions. In addition the Department provides:
	Confidential advice from a member of the Occupational Welfare Service
	Time off for medical appointments and treatment
	Reasonable adjustments to hours of work and the nature of their duties
	Gradual rehabilitation including reduced hours and duties
	A comprehensive suite of Work/Life policies
	Veterans can seek assistance through the Veterans Agency's helpline on 0800 169 2277, and the War Pensioners Welfare Service provides advice and guidance to those veterans who are applying for or who have been awarded a war pension or gratuity. We also paid around 2 million to the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) in the last financial year in order to fund remedial treatment for war pensioners.

Freedom of Information

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to his Department which have been passed to the FOI clearing house for evaluation, broken down by (a) subject and (b) date of request.

Don Touhig: Information about the handling of Freedom of Information requests is published in Freedom of Information Statistics on Implementation in Central Government. The most recently published report was 30 September 2005, copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Additional information about the role of the Clearing House can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/index.htm#2. Departments do not release information about the internal handling of requests, such as details of which requests were referred to the Clearing House for guidance.

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what timetable has been drawn up for each stage of the review of recordkeeping on sexual harassment in the armed forces in order to ensure completion by the end of the year; if he will make a statement when he publishes the Defence Information Notice and policy letter to the armed forces; and if he will place a copy of these documents in the Library;
	(2)  what conclusion he has reached on the scope for setting a revised target for the completion of all formal harassment investigations within a period of less than 69 days; on what date he issued a Ministry of Defence policy letter on this issue; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library;
	(3)  what date he issued a Ministry of Defence policy letter on arrangements for confidential follow-up checkswith individuals making complaints of sexual harassment in the armed forces; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

Don Touhig: The review of record keeping was completed ahead of schedule and a Defence Information Notice (2005DIN02244: Armed Forces Unit Equality and Diversity Log) was published on 1 December 2005. This document details a tri-service standard for: the recording of incidents and complaints of bullying and harassment; the turnaround time for commanding officers to investigate and consider complaints at unit level (30 days); and arrangements for follow-up checks to be completed four weeks after the conclusion of a complaint. I will place a copy of theDefence Information Notice in the Library of the House.

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of reference are for the review of formal complaints and other data on sexual harassment in the armed forces; and how many organisations and individuals have been invited to tender for contracts to conduct the review.

Don Touhig: Defence internal audit conducted the review, consequently the work was not tendered. I will place a copy of the terms of reference for the review in the Library of the House.

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the terms of reference are for the sexual harassment survey of women and men serving in the armed forces; and how many organisations and individuals have been invited to tender for contracts to conduct the survey;
	(2)  what the terms of reference are for the focus groups of women and men serving in the armed forces to consider issues relating to sexual harassment; and how many organisations and individuals have been invited to tender for contracts to undertake this work.

Don Touhig: I will place a copy of the terms of reference for the sexual harassment survey and focus groups in the Library of the House. Three organisations were invited to tender for the contract to conduct the survey and focus groups.

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the result was of the review of options for increasing awareness of sexual harassment issues conducted by the Armed Forces Diversity and Equality Steering Group; and how many meetings of the steering group have been held since June 2005.

Don Touhig: Options from the review are still under consideration and I will write to my hon. Friend further about this in due course. The Armed Forces Diversity and Equality Steering Group have held two meetings since June 2005.

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timetable has been agreed for (a) publication of advertisements for, (b) interviewing candidates for and (c) appointing an external reviewer to conduct quarterly assessments of the Department's handling of sexual harassment complaints.

Don Touhig: It is intended that an independent reviewer will be appointed to conduct regular non-statutory reviews of the complaints process focusing on the effectiveness, timeliness, and fairness of the system, and providing recommendations for improvements where necessary. A sample of cases will be analysed.
	The appointment of the external reviewer is part of a package of improvements to the complaints process, including the introduction of an independent element, linked to the Armed Forces Bill. The timetable for the appointment of the external reviewer will therefore be dictated by the progress of the Bill.

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings of principal personnel officers have been held since June 2005; and on how many occasions the officers have discussed the operation of sexual harassment helplines.

Don Touhig: The Principal Personnel Officers have met under the auspices of the Service Personnel Board on three occasions since June 2005. They have not discussed the operation of sexual harassment helplines

Harassment Investigations

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in establishing dedicated investigation teams on sexual harassment in each of the armed services; and how many individuals of each rank comprise these units.

Don Touhig: All three Services have established dedicated Equal Opportunities Investigation Teams that may be tasked with investigating complex and serious complaints of harassment and bullying. The Royal Navy team consists of one Warrant Officer 1st Class, and one Master at Arms. The Army team is commanded by a C2 Grade Military Support Function (MSF) member of the civil service. He is supported by two Warrant Officers and three Senior Non-Commissioned Officers also employed as investigators. The team has two civil service support staff: one El typist and one E2 Administrative Officer. The Royal Air Force team consists of one Flight Lieutenant, one Warrant Officer, one Sergeant and one Civilian E2 admin support assistant.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqis detained by UK forces have been (a) handed over to the custody of (i) Iraqi and (ii) US forces and (b) subject to prosecution in the Iraqi courts.

John Reid: Iraqis detained by the United Kingdom forces are either criminal detainees or security internees. Criminal detainees are transferred as soon as practically possible into Iraqi custody on their detention by UK forces, usually within eight hours. Security internees are detained and then held at the Divisional Temporary Detention Facility at Shaiba.
	Records held in MND(SE) show that 105 security internees have been transferred into the Iraqi criminal justice system since 1 January 2004.
	We do not keep figures on the number of criminal detainees placed immediately into Iraqi custody. This is routine business for UK forces and transfers occur very frequently.
	Following the end of hostilities in Iraq and the completion of the UK's prisoner release programme, a total of 358 prisoners taken into custody by the UK were transferred to US custody at Camp Bucca. With the opening of the UK's Divisional Temporary Detention Facility in December 2003, they, along with further individuals transferred into US custody in the meantime, were either released, or transferred back to UK custody.
	A further 18 security internees have been transferred to US custody at various times. All but four have been released.
	Once individuals have been transferred into the Iraqi legal system they become a matter for the Iraqis. We do not hold information on how many are subject to prosecution in the Iraqi courts. I met with the Iraqi Minister of the Interior on 4 December and made clear to him the international community's view that Iraq must have suitable systems of detention, trial and incarceration in line with its international obligations.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 November, (PQ 17735/17745) by what means the reports referred to were received; what the original sources of the information were; and what action has been taken as a consequence of these reports.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Irefer the hon. Member to my previous answer. For reasons of operational security, we do not comment on intelligence matters.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) his Department and (b) the Army has conducted public opinion surveys in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 29 November 2005
	Yes. Multi-National Division (South-East) used to conduct regular polls, for example the Seven Cities Poll, and the Iraq Opinion Trend Analysis. This latter continued until April 2005, since which time, regular opinion polling has been carried out only nationwide, at Corps level. At present, MND(SE) conducts only ad hoc polling.

Iraq

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are in place to protect employees of his Department in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom Armed Forces personnel deploying to Iraq receive comprehensive, theatre-specific pre-deployment training, which includes weapons training and force protection skills. In theatre, all personnel are subject to the Reception, Staging and Onward Integration process, which includes further range work, and ground familiarisation. Commanders employ force protection measures as appropriate. These are kept under continual review and adjusted, as necessary, consistent with the assessed threat level in the operating environment.
	Ministry of Defence civilian workers who have volunteered for operational duties in Iraq also undertake theatre-specific pre-deployment training, which includes medicals, CBRN training, weapons awareness, battlefield first aid, stress management, and hostage briefing. Military Commanders also ensure that appropriate force protection is provided for them. If Commanders conclude that, in their judgment, civilians are at unacceptable risk, they will remove them to a safer environment as soon as operationally feasible.

Iraq

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment British forces in the Gulf have for dealing with riots in Basra.

Adam Ingram: British forces deploy to Iraq with a range of vehicles and specialist equipment with which to deal with a range of potential incidents, including protective suits, shields, riot guns and batons for use in the event of civil unrest. For reasons of operational security, however, we do not comment further on specific equipment capabilities or numbers. Infantry, Royal Armoured Corps and Artillery units and sub-units undertake theatre-specific public order training as part of their operational training package, although the ultimate choice of vehicle or equipment used in any given situation will be dependent on the commander's assessment of the task in hand and the nature of the current threat. As the Iraqi security forces increasingly assume responsibility for public order, however, British forces are involved far less frequently than before in such operations.

Iraq

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1787W, on Iraq, how much was spent in each month; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the Ministry of Defence's annual report and accounts. Expenditure varies depending on troop numbers and activities and cannot therefore sensibly be broken down on a monthly basis. Further to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1787W, Ican however offer some further breakdown in the audited costs as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200203  
			 Operations in Iraq 629 
			 Expenditure on capital equipment 218 
			 Total 847 
			   
			 200304  
			 Operations in Iraq 1,051 
			 Expenditure on capital equipment 260 
			 Total 1,311 
			   
			 200405  
			 Operations in Iraq 747 
			 Expenditure on capital equipment 163 
			 Total 910 
			 Grand total 3,068

Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) Project

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial responsibilities his Department has for design changes to the Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) Project.

Adam Ingram: As the Design Authority for the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) programme, Swan Hunter has contractual responsibility to meet the cost of the majority of design changes. However, those changes instigated by the Ministry of Defence are paid for by the Department.

Military Exports/Aid (Maldives)

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) number and (b) value of UK (i) military exports and (ii) aid to the Maldives in each year since 2000.

Adam Ingram: I refer my right hon. Friend to the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, which contain information, by destination, on export licensing decisions, and on the value of exports of military equipment from the United Kingdom. The Annual Reports are available from the Library of the House.
	As for military aid or assistance, following the Tsunami of 26 December last year, 13 Royal Navy engineers deployed to the Maldives in January to assist the Maldivian National Disaster Management Centre and the State Electricity Company in surveying the national power and distribution systems and help repair generators. Following the subsequent gifting of two ex-MOD landing craft to the Maldivian Government, two Royal Marine instructors deployed to Male to familiarise the Maldivian National Security Services with landing craft operating and servicing. Otherwise, military assistance to the Maldives since 2000 has been limited to a few Maldivian military personnel attending non-combatant UK training courses.

Nuclear Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK nuclear arsenal operates on a hair-trigger alert; and how long the UK would have to decide whether to retaliate in the case of a possible launch of a nuclear attack.

John Reid: The operational posture of the UK's nuclear forces is set out in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review at paragraphs 6668. They do not operate on a so-called-'hair-trigger alert', but are normally at several days 'notice to fire'. We do not comment on hypothetical scenarios involving the possible use of nuclear weapons; our course of action in any particular situation would depend on all the relevant circumstances.

Nuclear Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his evidence to the Defence Select Committee on 1 November, whether the destructive power of the UK's nuclear force has been reduced in linewith the 70 per cent. reduction in fire power referred to.

John Reid: Yes. I refer my hon. Friend to the Strategic Defence Review, paragraph 64, and the associated chart.

Opportunity Now

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department became a corporate member of Opportunity Now; what he expects to gain from membership; and what procedures have been agreed for the Department to exercise its membership responsibilities.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence became a corporate member of Opportunity Now on 30 June 2005. Membership of Opportunity Now will enable the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces to benchmark their policies and practices against those of other employers. Since joining Opportunity Now, representatives of the MOD and armed forces have taken part in a number of members' events and activities.

Private Military Companies

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department employs private military companies.

Adam Ingram: No.

Protective Armour

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many applique protective armour kits are available to protect troop carriers, logistic vehicles and patrol cars in Iraq;
	(2)  how many applique armour kits for cab floors are available for fitting on logistics vehicles.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 15 December 2005
	To date, for operations in Iraq, there are 168 ballistic protection kits, which include ballistic floor covering, available for logistics vehicles. The Warrior armoured personnel carrier has bespoke fitted armour. However, a requirement for 99 sets of additional armoured protection has been met and a further 14 sets are on order. Applique protective armour kits are not being provided for the Snatch Land Rovers used for patrol duties as they have integral ballistic protection.

RAF Aircraft

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on aircraft availability across the RAF's fleet.

Adam Ingram: Royal Air Force aircraft are available to meet all current operational commitments and training in support of them.

Regimental Headquarters

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regular regiments of the (a) Army Air Corps, (b) Royal Engineers, (c) Royal Armoured Corps, (d) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and (e) Royal Regiment of Artillery are (i) based and (ii)have their headquarters in Scotland.

Adam Ingram: None of these regiments is based in or has its headquarters in Scotland.

Senior-level Meetings (Instructions)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions he has issued to senior members of the armed forces on discussions and meetings they may have with hon. and right hon. Members; and whether guidance has been altered in the past two years.

Adam Ingram: No such instructions have been issued to senior members of the armed forces. However, central guidance exists for all members of the armed forces on dealing with inquiries from Members of Parliament and on visits by Members of Parliament to Defence establishments.

Service Personnel

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether orders for the necessary equipment have been placed in relation to the forthcoming deployment of United Kingdom personnel into southern Afghanistan; and whether preparations for the deployment are on schedule.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 20 December 2005
	I refer the right hon. Member to the written statement I made on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 41WS.
	As I said then, certain necessary preparations for a potential deployment of UK forces to southern Afghanistan, as part of the stage 3 expansion of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), are currently underway.
	Once discussions within NATO on the overall stage 3 force structure have been concluded, we will make a statement to the House on the UK contribution and the timetable for deployment.

Service Personnel

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recommendations were submitted to the Service Personnel Executive Group following completion of the departmental feasibility study on increasing the number of women employed in armed forces' recruitment and initial training of recruits; and on what date these recommendations were discussed by the Group.

Don Touhig: Options from the review are still under consideration and I will write to my hon. Friend further about this in due course.

Service Personnel

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timetable has been agreed for each stage of the process agreed for developing a range of options for using trained mediators to assist in the resolution of disputes; and on what date this report will be discussed by the Services Personnel Executive Group.

Don Touhig: A paper identifying options for using trained mediators to assist in the resolution of disputes was circulated to the Service Personnel Executive Group on 16 December 2005 and will be discussed at its meeting on 19 January 2006.

Shropshire Light Infantry

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1498W, on the Shropshire Light Infantry, in what capacity the members of the Shropshire Light Infantry serve.

Adam Ingram: The Shropshire Light Infantry are currently serving as an element of the Force Protection Company for Headquarters of Multinational Division (South East) in Iraq. Their duties include the provision of security of the HQ's location by means of static sentries, control of entry and exit points, physical searches and patrols in the vicinity of the base. They are also providing escorts for patrols in the area of responsibility.

Smart Procurement Policy

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for the Smart Procurement Policy of the Prime Minister's recent statement at his monthly press conference that the recent performance of Swan Hunters should not preclude them from bidding for future work from the aircraft carrier programme.

Adam Ingram: It remains the Department's policy that our relationship with industry is rooted firmly in project performance. The extent of any particular shipyard's involvement in the future carrier programme will be determined on a value for money decision, in addition to considering the capability, capacity, and resources of UK industry to meet the full range of planned naval programmes.
	As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 14 December, subject to satisfactory contract and demonstration of value for money, the structure of the carriers above the hangar deck, some 40 per cent. of the shipbuild, will be open to competition and will allow an opportunity for the many shipyards and suppliers with the ability to undertake this work to compete and win work.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 19 July 2005, Official Report, column 1541W and 23 June 2005, Official Report, column 1146W, to the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. Davies). Additionally, the Department does not record in which nation or region of the UK, including London, the expenditure is incurred.

Unexploded Ordnance

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the failure rate of each type of unexploded ordnance which remains in British areas of responsibility in Iraq;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the (a) quantity and (b) types of unexploded ordnance which remain in British areas of responsibility in Iraq;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the impact of unexploded ordnance on civilians in British areas of responsibility in Iraq; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how much unexploded ordnance has been cleared in British areas of responsibility in Iraq since March 2003, broken down by type.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 24 November 2005
	By far the greatest amount of unexploded ordnance in Iraq are munitions left from the Iran-Iraq war, mines laid by Iraqi forces, stores of ammunition and other ordnance abandoned by Iraqi military and paramilitary forces. There is a far smaller amount of unexploded ordnance employed by coalition forces during the Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq; this includes artillery shells and air-launched munitions, of which some will be cluster bomblets.
	We can give no estimate of the failure rate of munitions used by the armed services of other nations and we do not have information on the specific types of unexploded ordnance of UK origin which remain in our area of responsibility. There is no reliable means of assessing the impact of unexploded ordnance on Iraqi civilians in the British area of responsibility since the end of the conflict.
	Over 1,500,000 individual items of unexploded ordnance have been cleared in UK areas of responsibility since March 2003. We do not keep a record of the individual types that have been cleared.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what administrative savings have been made by her Department in each of the last eight years.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the right hon. Member to the information published on gross and net controlled administration costs underspends for Whitehall departments which is published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Papers for the relevant years. These are available in the Library of the House.
	Efficiency gains are being made as part of the Spending Review 2004 efficiency programme by the Department as set out in the Efficiency Technical Notes which are available on the Departmental website.

Antisocial Behaviour

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued by courts in (a) Wakefield and (b) Pontefract in each month since the penalty was introduced; how many have been breached; and how many breaches resulted in custodial sentences in (i) adult and (ii) juvenile courts.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	Data on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are not available below local authority area level. The readily available information is by quarter and is given in the table for Wakefield metropolitan district council area.
	The Home Office Court Proceedings Database holds breach proceedings only where there has been a conviction. These data are available at Criminal Justice System area level only.
	
		Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office where restrictions are imposed within Wakefield Metropolitan District Council area, by period, 1 June 2000(44) to 30 June 2005 (latest available)
		
			 England and Wales Issued 
		
		
			 July to September 2000  
			 October to December 2000  
			 January to March 2001  
			 April to June 2001  
			 July to September 2001  
			 October to December 2001  
			 January to March 2002  
			 April to June 2002  
			 July to September 2002  
			 October to December 2002  
			 January to March 2003  
			 April to June 2003  
			 July to September 2003  
			 October to December 2003 3 
			 January to March 2004 4 
			 April to June 2004 4 
			 July to September 2004 9 
			 October to December 2004 9 
			 January to March 2005 11 
			 April to June 2005 9 
			 Total 49 
		
	
	(44)Between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (pfa). During this period 4 ASBOs were issued, as reported, within West Midlands pfa.
	Note:
	As from 1 June 2000 data collected centrally by magistrates courts committee (MCC) area by quarter. For the month of June 2000 no (0) ASBOs were reported as being issued.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Acts of Parliament have extended to each of the Channel Islands in the last twenty years.

Bridget Prentice: The Department for Constitutional Affairs does not keep a record of the UK Acts of Parliament which have been extended to each of the Channel Islands. UK Acts of Parliament do not normally extend to the Channel Islands. If they do, they may do so either by virtue of the Act itself or by Order in Council under an enabling provision contained in the Act. For an Act to extend otherwise than by an Order in Council is now very unusual.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what average time it has taken (a) for laws passed in the Channel Islands to be ratified by the Privy Council and (b) for the relevant Order in Council to be made over the past five years; and what steps she is taking to reduce this period.

Bridget Prentice: The Department for Constitutional Affairs does not monitor the time taken to complete each stage of the Channel Islands' legislative process. This Department and the Governments of both Guernsey and Jersey work closely to ensure that each piece of legislation is prioritised as appropriate.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to make provision for a seat in the United Kingdom Parliament to represent the Channel Islands.

Bridget Prentice: The Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom. Guernsey and Jersey are Crown dependencies with their own legislative assemblies and legislate for themselves on all domestic matters.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) legal and (b) constitutional position of the Channel Islands in relation to UK law.

Bridget Prentice: The Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom. Each has its own legislative assembly, administrative, fiscal and legal system and its own courts of law. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the ultimate court of appeal.
	UK Acts of Parliament do not normally extend to the Channel Islands. If they do, they may do so either by virtue of the Act itself or by Order in Council made under an enabling provision contained in the Act. For an Act to extend otherwise than by an Order in Council is now very unusual.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assistance her Department provides for people from the Channel Islands, who are in the United Kingdom to vote in home elections.

Bridget Prentice: Guernsey and Jersey are not part of the UK. They are internally self-governing parliamentary democracies and as such make their own arrangements to ensure that those eligible can take part in their domestic elections.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the (a) petitions and (b) registered complaints from islanders she has received relating to the feudal system on Sark in the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: I am aware of two petitions to the Privy Council in the last five years which have been about the constitution of Sark. Since the transfer of responsibility for the Crown dependencies from the Home Office in 2001, Ministers and officials at the Department for Constitutional Affairs have received a number of letters about the constitution of Sark. All correspondence and both petitions have been from or on behalf of two residents of Sark.

Channel Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the constitutional status of Alderney.

Bridget Prentice: Alderney is an internally self-governing dependency of the Crown. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, but not part of the United Kingdom.

Child Pornography

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Paul Goggins) on 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 591W, on child pornography, when she expects to introduce changes to Schedule 3 to the Data Protection Act 1998 to enable payment card companies legitimately to hold and process sensitive data concerning an individual and their convictions, with particular reference to purchasing child pornography on the internet.

Harriet Harman: My department continues to work with colleagues across Government and with the Association for Payment Clearing Services to take forward the amendment of Schedule 3 of the Data Protection. Once this work is complete the amendment will be placed before Parliament when legislative time allows.

Compensation Bill

James McGovern: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when her Department plans to publish its proposals for a possible exemption for trades unions from the claims management proposals contained in the Compensation Bill [Lords].

Bridget Prentice: The Compensation Bill will provide the legislative framework to introduce the statutory regulation of claims management activities. The Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, announced at Second Reading of the Compensation Bill (HL) the Government's intention to exempt trade unions and that such an exemption may be subject to conditions, including a requirement to have regard to the code of practice issued by the new regulator. Exemptions will be a matter for secondary legislation and the Government will take account of Peers' and Members' views on appropriate conditions during the passage of the Bill.

Compensation Bill

James McGovern: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether her Department plans to introduce an exemption for trades unions from the claims management proposals in the Compensation Bill [Lords], (a) through an amendment to the Bill and (b) by secondary legislation; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: We plan to introduce an exemption for trades unions from the claims management proposals in the Compensation Bill by secondary legislation. Clause 4 of the Compensation Bill (HL) provides an order making power to exempt persons from the requirement to be authorised to carry out claims management services.

Council Tax Valuations

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Valuation Office Agency will have access to the proposed new electoral register database.

Harriet Harman: The Government's current consultation paper on the proposed co-ordinated online record of electors (CORE) seeks views on who should have access to information held by CORE and for what purposes that access should be granted.
	Policy will be settled in the light of responses to that consultation. However, the Government's current feeling is that access to data in CORE should match existing regulations governing entitlement to copies of the full version of electoral registers held locally. As an Executive agency of a Government Department, the VOA would accordingly be entitled to access, but only for prescribed purposes.

Data Protection

George Howarth: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance her Department has issued on the publication under the Data Protection Act 1998 by local government officers of private e-mails relating to council business of a sensitive nature between elected councillors and other local government officers.

Bridget Prentice: The Data Protection Act 1998 covers personal data on living individuals. The Freedom of Information Act 2000, which covers all recorded information, allows individuals to request such information from public authorities covered by the Act subject to a variety of exemptions. The Department for Constitutional Affairs has not issued guidance on the publication of such e-mails under either Act.

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for her Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii) London in 200405.

Bridget Prentice: (a) The aggregate payroll costs for the Department, which includes costs for Ministers, special advisors and agency staff, in 200405 was 339 million.
	(b) The total (net) administration costs for the Department in 200405 was 925 million.
	The administration budgets regime overseen by the Treasury relates to Whitehall departments only. The Department does not monitor national, regional or London administration costs separately and it is a matter for the Devolved Administrations how they control their own administration costs.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by her Department; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Harriet Harman: My Department holds a number of catering contracts mainly to provide services to jurors, others using the courts and staff. Those contracts also provide for refreshments at official meetings and working lunches. The Department does not hold any separate entertainment contracts.
	The total paid to contractors to date for the period January to December 2005 is 1,795,509. Of that total 1,409,176 was to subsidise mainstream catering services and 386,333 was expended on refreshments for officially hosted events, meetings and working lunches. This is broken down by regions in the following table:
	
		
		
			 Region Subsidy Official events Total 
		
		
			 North and North Wales 268,471  268,471 
			 Midlands and South Wales 199,843 3,274 203,117 
			 London 461,816 378,559 840,375 
			 South East and Western 479,046 4,500 483,546 
			 Total 1,409,176 386,333 1,795,509 
		
	
	The figure for expenditure on official events in the North and North Wales is not recorded separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) her Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which her Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by her Department and other such organisations since May 1997.

Harriet Harman: My Department does not hold this information centrally and it is therefore disproportionate cost to extrapolate this information now.
	The only body within DCA to use a PR agency in the period requested was the Commission for Judicial Appointments, who have engaged Luther Pendragon since 2002.
	In October 2005 HMCS contracted Blue Rubicon to provide communications for their estates strategy.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent on advertising by (a) her Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which her Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by her Department in each year since May 1997.

Harriet Harman: Since its inception in June 2003 my Department, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, has conducted seven media advertising campaigns: a regional poster campaign on buses to promote recruitment to the lay magistracy, radio and press adverts to target court fine defaulters (under the title Operation Payback), press adverts to promote postal voting fraud prevention, and a press, radio and poster campaign to promote recruitment to the lay magistracy.
	Figures for our agencies, non-departmental public bodies, and bodies financially sponsored by my Department are not held centrally. To get the information would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
		
			 Project Expenditure on advertising 
		
		
			 2003  
			 Operation Payback (Phase 1) 230,000 
			 Magistrate recruitment 342,000 
			   
			 2004  
			 Operation Payback (Phase 2) 292,000 
			 Magistrate recruitment 102,000 
			   
			 2005  
			 Postal voting 185,270 
			 Magistrate recruitment 741,000 
			 Operation Payback (Phase 3) 263,082

Departmental Expenditure

Norman Lamb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many widescreen televisions have been purchased by her Department for use in London headquarters in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each year.

Harriet Harman: My Department has identified six wide screen televisions that have been purchased for use in London headquarters in the last five years.
	The purchases were made as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200001 0 
			 200102 0 
			 200203 0 
			 200304 0 
			 200405 6 
		
	
	The cost, all incurred in 200405, was 17,500.00.
	This answer relates solely to the Department for Constitutional Affairs, HQ Estate and not to Her Majesty's Court Service, related agencies or NDPBs as to gather this information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by her Department in 200405 in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii)London.

Harriet Harman: The value (to the nearest 000, excluding VAT) of public opinion research contracts covering the United Kingdom as a whole was 280,000; covering England and Wales 998,000; covering areas of England 40,000; and covering South West England 26,000; no contracts were awarded for public relations.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by the Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government departments.

Harriet Harman: This Department has responded positively to the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report; for example, work has commenced on the Disability Equality Scheme, which will be completed by the end of December 2006. There was initial input from disabled members of the judiciary, members of staff and users of the Department's services. There will be further reviews of the Scheme by people with disabilities before the final publication. The document will detail the Department's promotion of disability issues internally, accessibility to buildings, communication, procurement, recruitment, and the support to members of the judiciary with disabilities.
	An annual report will be issued, reporting on the progress of the action plans contained within the Scheme.
	The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) will also report annually to the Prime Minister on cross-government progress in implementing the Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. The first report is due to be published by summer 2006. It will contain an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by the ODI to fulfil its specific responsibilities, which require the active involvement of other Government Departments. It will also include an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and other Government Departments to fulfil the responsibilities they have outside of the ODI remit.

Early Retirement

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many of her Department's employees have taken early retirement in each year since 1997.

Bridget Prentice: The numbers of employees, who have taken early retirement in each year since 1997, are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of employees 
		
		
			 1997 92 
			 1998 94 
			 1999 27 
			 2000 40 
			 2001 27 
			 2002 19 
			 2003 22 
			 2004 28 
			 2005 13 
			 Total 362 
		
	
	The above figures include those who have retired voluntarily with an actuarially reduced pension, those who have retired with benefits under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme and those who have retired on ill-health grounds.

El Hadji Diouf

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on progress of the investigation into the provision of legal aid for the footballer El Hadji Diouf.

Bridget Prentice: There is no current investigation, nor is any planned, into the decision to award El Hadji Diouf legal aid. Under the existing arrangements and rules, criminal legal aid representation depends on the applicant satisfying the Interests of Justice test. In the case of El Hadji Diouf, there is no reason to believe that there was any misapplication of this test.
	While an applicant for criminal legal aid representation does not currently have to pass a financial eligibility test, the Criminal Defence Service Bill, presently before Parliament, will provide for the re-introduction of means testing for defendants appearing before the criminal courts.

Electoral Administration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action her Department is taking to encourage people under the age of 30 years to vote in (a) general, (b) local and (c) European elections.

Harriet Harman: The Department for Constitutional Affairs is, looking at ways to raise awareness of the registration process and encourage people and particularly young people to register to vote. Young people have low levels of electoral registration. We have been making new links with young people's groups to consider how to take this work forward.
	The Electoral Administration Bill includes changes to the electoral and voting process to make voting more convenient and more secure.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps her Department proposes to take regarding the failure of (a) local authorities and (b) Pickfords to provide marked registers; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Officials from my department have previously been made aware that the marked registers of a number of constituencies were incomplete. As of 2 November 2005, the missing sections of 42 per cent. of these incomplete marked registers had been located. Pickfords are continuing to carry out searches to locate as many of the remaining missing marked registers as possible.
	The Electoral Administration Bill will provide that at future UK Parliamentary elections, the marked registers for England and Wales will be stored locally, and the duty to provide copies will fall to the local electoral registration officer.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what (a) controls and (b) restrictions exist to prevent election candidates using freepost mailings for solely commercial purposes.

Harriet Harman: Section 91 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 states that an election candidate's freepost mailing must contain matter relating to the election only. It is illegal to use the freepost mailing system for commercial purposes.
	The Royal Mail administer a vetting system to ensure that candidates' freepost literature does not include commercial material.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the proposal in the Electoral Administration Bill to lower the threshold of votes for retaining deposits on freepost mailings being used for commercial purposes.

Harriet Harman: The proposal in the Electoral Administration Bill to lower the threshold for retention of deposits in parliamentary elections will have no effect on freepost mailings being used for commercial purposes. Section 91 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 states that an election candidate's freepost mailing must contain matter relating to the election only. It is illegal to use the freepost mailing system for commercial purposes. The Royal Mail administer a vetting system to ensure that candidates' freepost literature does not include commercial material.

Electoral Administration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the provisions available for enabling the severely disabled to vote in general elections; and what changes to current provisions are envisaged.

Harriet Harman: At present, a tactile voting device is available in polling stations for blind and visually impaired voters, and voters with disabilities can vote with the assistance of a companion or the Presiding Officer. Also, electors with disabilities may apply to have a postal or proxy vote if they are unable to access their local polling station.
	The Electoral Administration Bill will extend the current provisions for voters with disabilities. It includes a duty on local authorities to undertake a review of polling places at least every four years; and, allows electoral administrators to provide information in other formats, such as Braille or through graphical representation.

Electoral Administration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she is taking to use (a) technology and (b) other means to make it easier for the elderly to vote in elections.

Harriet Harman: The Government are committed to increasing everyone's participation in the electoral process and are continuing to look at a number of ways of modernising the electoral process through its Electoral Modernisation programme. This includes the piloting of innovations at local elections and introducing changes to the electoral process through the Electoral Administration Bill, with the aim of making voting straightforward, efficient, secure and readily accessible to all electors, including the elderly.

Electoral Reform

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent representations her Department has received on reform of the first-past-the-post electoral system.

Harriet Harman: Over the three-month period 1 October 2005 to 31 December 2005 the DCA received 16 letters from members of the public and also two parliamentary questions on voting systems reform and review.

Electoral Registration

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent estimate she has made of electoral registration levels among ethnic minorities.

Harriet Harman: The Electoral Commission's 2005 report Understanding Electoral Registration contained an analysis of the electoral registers at 1 December 2000. This included the estimate that 17 per cent. of people from minority ethnic groups in England and Wales were not registered to vote in 2000. The equivalent figure for the white population was 6 per cent.
	However, these estimates do not explicitly take account of electoral non-eligibility on grounds of nationality. In order to register to vote in the UK, resident adults are required to hold UK, Irish, Commonwealth or EU nationality.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many meetings of the EU Committee on the jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of paternal responsibility for children of both spouses and on the jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Brussels I and II) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: No meetings have taken place during the UK presidency of the Council of the EU on the topics referred to by the hon. Member.

Family Law Act

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996 will come into force; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 makes amendments to Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
	It is the biggest overhaul of domestic violence legislation for 30 years and is a crucial part of the Government's wider strategy for preventing domestic violence by protecting and supporting victims, and bringing perpetrators to justice. The new section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996 refers to the breach of non-molestation orders which will become a criminal offence.
	Implementation of the Act is commitment 12 of the National Report and Delivery Plan, which was published on the 31 March 2005. The provisions of the Act will be implemented on a rolling basis as and when funding is identified and relevant training completed.

Family Law Act

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average time taken for contempt proceedings to be dealt with under the Family Law Act 1996 was prior to the amendments of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.

Bridget Prentice: This information is not collated centrally. Part of our plans for the implementation of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 is the better collection of statistical information. We are planning to research the impact of breaches and the implementation of the provisions of the Act.

Family Law Act

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she plans to introduce measures to ensure exchange of information between family and criminal courts for the breach of non-molestation orders under the new provision 42A of the Family Law Act 1996.

Bridget Prentice: The Family Proceedings (Amendment No 4) Rules 2005 [SI: 2005 No. 1976 (L.18)] which were implemented on 31 October 2005 clarify who and how information in family proceedings may be shared. My Department is also developing a protocol on information sharing for the Integrated Domestic Violence Court Pilot at Croydon.
	This is underpinned by the Family-Criminal Interface Steering Committee which my Department established with the support of the Deputy Chief Justice on 9 February 2004.
	The Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Solicitor General and the President of the Family Division, has an 'overview' role in co-ordinating all work currently being undertaken in England and Wales to improve the interface between the family and criminal jurisdictions.

Gravesend and Dartford County Courts

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the currentwaiting time is from allocation to hearing for small claims at the Gravesend and Dartford county courts.

Harriet Harman: The current performance data (October 2005) is showing the average waiting time for small claims at Gravesend county court to be five weeks from application to hearing. The performance indicator for cases heard in small claims courts is currently 78 per cent. of cases to be heard within 15 weeks. Gravesend county court is currently operating 100 per cent. effective.

Gravesend and Dartford County Courts

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many possession cases were issued at the Gravesend county court between (a) 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2005 and (b) 1 April 2005 and 30 September 2005.

Harriet Harman: Between 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2005, 296 possession claims were issued.
	Between 1 April 2005 and 30 September 2005, 338 possession claims were issued.

Her Majesty's Courts Service

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made on pay negotiations with former magistrates courts staff transferred to Her Majesty's Courts Service.

Bridget Prentice: The Department has been engaged in discussions throughout 2005 with the unions representing staff subject to former magistrates courts service (MCS) terms and conditions of service. Formal negotiations began on 5 April 2005 once former MCS staff transferred into DCA.
	The Department has made an offer to the unions which officials believe is fair given the current economic circumstances, public sector pay awards generally and what the Department can afford. It is therefore regrettable that PCS and Prospect are taking industrial action. Officials remain prepared to discuss any constructive proposals that the unions wish to put forward to resolve the dispute, recognising the constraints within which the department has to operate.

High Sheriffs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the name is of each person who has been appointed to a post of high sheriff in each of the last 30 years; and in respect of which area each was appointed.

Harriet Harman: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

House of Lords Reform

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on progress on reform of the House of Lords.

Harriet Harman: The Government are continuing to seek the co-operation of other parties in setting up a Joint Committee of both Houses to consider and codify the powers of the House of Lords. The Government hope to be able to proceed with the establishment of the Joint Committee as soon as possible.
	The Government will also proceed on its other free-standing manifesto commitments on Lords reformto limit to 60 days the time the House of Lords deal with a Bill, to abolish the remaining hereditary peers and to allow a free vote on the composition of the House of Lords.

Incentive Packages

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in her Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to her Department of each payment was in 200405.

Harriet Harman: Details of pay supplements, bonuses and other incentive packages paid to DCA staff broken down by DCA administrative area for the year ending 31 March 2005 follow. The information is not readily available broken down by Government office regions.
	The information requested is not readily available for staff previously employed by magistrates courts committees and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Count and value of allowances by DCA region
		
			  DCA region 
			 Allowance description London Midlands North East North West South East South West Wales and Cheshire Grand total 
		
		
			 Area Director Responsibility Allowance  
			 Value ()  20,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 20,000 90,000 
			 People  2 1 1 1 2 2 9 
			  
			 Extended Working Hours  
			 Value ()  50,489  50,489 
			 People  62  62 
			  
			 Job Specific Market Supp.  
			 Value () 381,5002,000   383,500 
			 People 1002   102 
			  
			 Local Market Supplement  
			 Value () 24,500 1,000   161,100   186,600 
			 People 22 1   174   197 
			  
			 Local Pay Addition  
			 Value () 1,700 300   27,300 8,500  37,800 
			 People 3 1   69 17  90 
			  
			 Local Pay Addition EO  
			 Value () 6007,700 1,000  9,300 
			 People 323 2  28 
			  
			 London Pay Addition  
			 Value () 24,7976,255   31,052 
			 People 17337   210 
			  
			 London Pay Addition EO  
			 Value () 9,2701,548   10,818 
			 People 19116   207 
			  
			 Accountancy Allowance  
			 Value () 184,300 9,200  3,150  3,150 6,300 206,100 
			 People 42 3  1  1 2 49 
			  
			 Auditors' Allowance  
			 Value () 67,000 48,000 15,000 5,000  29,000 3,000 167,000 
			 People 15 10 3 1  7 1 37 
			  
			 Total value () 693,667 128,989 25,000 18,150 213,903 61,650 29,300 1,170,659 
			  
			 Total count of staff in receipt of allowances 549 79 4 3 321 29 5 990 
		
	
	DCA performance and bonus payments 200405
	
		Performance bonus payments based on annual appraisal markings
		
			 DCA region Total Value () Total cost (including employers NIC) () 
		
		
			 London 802 320,800 350,634 
			 Midlands 208 83,200 90,938 
			 North East 189 75,600 82,631 
			 North West 202 80,800 88,314 
			 South East 260 104,000 113,672 
			 Wales and Cheshire 95 38,000 41,534 
			 South West 145 58,000 63,394 
			 Grand total 1,901 760,400 831,117 
		
	
	
		Small bonus payments(45) (under 50 to individuals or teams)
		
			   
		
		
			 Value 244,525 
			 Cost (incl. employers NIC) 267,266 
		
	
	(45)Payments are not recorded by region
	
		Special bonuses
		
			 DCA region Total Value () Total cost (including employers NIC) () 
		
		
			 London 973 315,560 344,907 
			 Midlands 148 35,714 39,035 
			 North East 59 10,066 11,002 
			 North West 202 24,516 26,796 
			 South East 212 35,510 38,812 
			 Wales and Cheshire 74 10,215 11,165 
			 South West 76 17,473 19,098 
			 Grand total 1,744 449,054 490,816

Information Commissioner

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what is the average time taken to process cases at the Information Commissioner's Office; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The average time to close a Data Protection case between 1 April and 30 November 2005 was 50 days. The average time to close a Freedom of Information case in the same period was 96 days. The Information Commissioner has analysed his current workload and concluded that the high volume of FOI appeals that he is processing at present are a result of the initial influx of requests that public authorities experienced in the first few months of FOI implementation.

Joint Ministerial Sub-Committees

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the operation and staffing of the joint ministerial sub-committees between the Scottish Executive and UK departments;
	(2)  if she will list the joint ministerial sub-committees between the Scottish Executive and UK Departments; and how many staff are assigned to service each.

Bridget Prentice: The Memorandum of Understanding and Supplementary Agreements (Cm 5240) allows for the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) to meet in various functional formats to discuss specific policy areas. At present, the JMC exists in four such formats: Health, Poverty, Knowledge Economy and Europe. Of these four, the JMC on Europe meets most regularly. As described in the Memorandum of Understanding the Secretariat to these Committees is provided by the UK Cabinet Office and the devolved administrations, although in practice the Secretariat to the JMCs on Health, Poverty and Knowledge Economy is provided by my department. There is no specific group of civil servants assigned to the Secretariat; instead staff from appropriate areas service the Committees as necessary.

Judicial Pension Schemes

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs on what date the judicial pension schemes will be deregistered for the purposes of the Finance Act 2004.

Harriet Harman: The Lord Chancellor, as scheme administrator, will notify HM Revenue and Customs that the judicial pension schemes will not become registered schemes for the purposes of the Finance Act, with effect from 6 April 2006, under paragraph 2 of schedule 36 to the Act .

Judicial Pension Schemes

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average pension paid to retired members from the judicial pension schemes is.

Harriet Harman: Figures in the scheme accounts for 200405 indicate an average annual pension in payment of about 41,800 for retired scheme members and about 15,500 for surviving dependants.

Magistrates

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions she has had on the implementation of payments for magistrates for their work.

Harriet Harman: None.

Parliamentary Constituencies

Peter Bone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when she expects the new parliamentary constituency boundaries will come into effect.

Harriet Harman: The Boundary Commission for England is required to submit its report by April 2007. Under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, the report will then be brought before Parliament as soon as may be. If agreed by Parliament, the report's recommendations will come into force at the next General Election.

Rates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was paid by her Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London.

Bridget Prentice: My Department has, in 200405, paid rates in:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 (a) (i) Nation  
			 England 5.518 million 
			 Wales 0 
			 Scotland 0 
			 Northern Ireland 0 
			   
			 (ii) Region of the UK  
			 North East 16,147.00 
			 North West 3,492.00 
			 South West 8,436.00 
			 All other regions except London 0 
			   
			 (b) London(46) 5.490 million 
		
	
	(46)This answer relates solely to the Department for Constitutional Affairs, HQ Estate and not to Her Majesty's Court Service, related agencies or NDPB's as to gather this information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many staff are employed by her Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics. They are outlined in Table D which covers staff numbers (FTE basis) in each Department and agency. Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management of the civil service/statistics/civil service statistics/index.asp
	The regional breakdown can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Sub-Committee on Electoral Policy

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the members of the Constitutional Affairs sub-committee on Electoral Policy.

Jim Murphy: I have been asked to reply.
	A full list of all Cabinet committees, including their membership and terms of reference, can be found in the Library. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, placed an updated list in the Library on Thursday 15 December 2005.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Bridget Prentice: It is not possible for the Department to provide full detailed information requested on how much was spent on taxis during the (current) 200506 financial year without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The Department has published rules for official travel in its staff handbook and all travel complied with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Goods and Services (Transgender People)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps she is taking to meet the Government's obligations under council directive 2004/113/EC to enact goods and services protection for transgender people by the deadline of 21 December 2007.

Meg Munn: holding answer 14 December 2005
	We are developing proposals to meet our obligations as part of the wider Discrimination Law Review.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Administration Costs

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which functions of his core Department are carried out in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Wales; and what administrative costs were associated with these functions for each area in the last year.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister carries out no functions in relation to Northern Ireland. In relation to Wales, while the vast majority of functions for which ODPM has responsibility have been devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government since devolution, ODPM does retain some residual functions in relation to Wales, specifically in relation to building regulations and local authority pension arrangements. Since these functions are already exercised in relation to England, the additional costs associated with administering these functions for Wales are minimal and therefore have not been measured. In addition, ODPM acts for the whole of the UK in international forums where it has the lead policy responsibility internationally (e.g. on the EC's environmental impact assessment directive), however, implementation is a matter for the devolved Administrations (where the implementation mechanism is devolved).

Age Discrimination (Housing)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures the Government are taking to combat age discrimination in relation to housing.

Yvette Cooper: I understand the hon. Member's question relates to age discrimination in relation to park homes. Many parks do not have age limitations. It is up to individual parks and their residents to decide on what, if any, conditions to attach to residency, subject to any relevant legislation. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not have any evidence to suggest that age limitations are causing significant problems for the sector and has no current plans to consider possible measures.

ASBOs

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice he provides to local authorities on whether they can outsource the delivery of antisocial behaviour order functions to external organisations.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	Provision for contracting out local authority functions relating to antisocial behaviour is contained in section 1F of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 as amended by section 128 of The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 but has not yet been implemented. Subsection (9) provides that the Secretary of State may issue guidance on the provisions, to which local authorities and the persons to whom they contract out must have regard.
	Officials within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are currently consulting on a proposal to enable local authorities to ask those bodies managing their housing under section 27 of the Housing Act 1985 to also carry out all or some of their functions relating to antisocial behaviour orders.

Buncefield Oil Depot

John McDonnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Total Oil Depot site at Buncefield, near Hemel Hempstead, is subject to the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Buncefield Oil Depot site has been subject to the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 since 1 December 1999. The enforcing authority for the regulations at that site is the Health and Safety Executive, who also enforce the fire certificate issued under the Fire Certificates (Special Premises) Regulations 1976.

Christmas Decorations

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance the Government have issued to local authorities on (a) celebrating Christmas and (b) Christmas lights in relation to (i) highway safety and (ii) diversity.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not issued guidance to local authorities on (a) celebrating Christmas or (b) Christmas lights in relation to (i) highway safety and (ii) diversity.
	Guidance on highway safety is not within the remit of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's policy. As local authorities work at the local level and have knowledge of their local populations, they are best placed to decide how to celebrate Christmas and other religious festivals.

Commercial Property

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many voids on commercial property there were in each year since 2000.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not compile or collate statistics of voids in the commercial property sector.

Commercial Property

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many new commercial leases have been offered on a contracted-out basis since their introduction.

Yvette Cooper: Landlords and tenants have been able to agree to contract out of security of tenure since 1970. Since 1 June 2004, they have been able to do so without prior court approval, but subject to new safeguards for tenants involving the issue of health warning notices.
	There are no records of how many new commercial leases have been offered on a contracted-out basis since the new procedures were introduced. We do not expect the new procedures by themselves to change the pattern of contracting out.
	The new contracting out procedures were part of a package of reforms to Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 introduced by a Regulatory Reform Order made in 2003. We are currently reviewing the impact of the reforms, with a view to reporting back shortly to the Regulatory Reform Committee.

Council Expenditure

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of spending by (a) Kent county council and (b) Gravesham borough council will be financed from council tax in (i) 200607 and (ii)200708.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not yet available. Authorities will not be setting council taxes for 200607 until early in 2006, with council taxes for 200708 not set until early 2007.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government plan to cap council tax bills for pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Government have made it clear that they expect to see an average increase in council tax in England of less than 5 per cent. in each of the next two years and are prepared to use their capping powers against excessive increases.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister look forward to receiving the final report of Sir Michael Lyons' independent inquiry into local government funding, in the context of its wider functions and future role before the end of 2006. We will consider how council tax may best be reformed in the light of Sir Michael's recommendations.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1500W, on council tax revaluation, whether the collection of value significant codes and dwelling house codes will continue following the postponement of the council tax revaluation in England.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 197W.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's staff computer manual or guidance document for using the automated valuation model for council tax valuation purposes.

Phil Woolas: The guidance contains reference to OASIS and Tenet which are commercial products which may be subject to copyright.

Councillors (Allowances)

Michael Wills: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what allowances are paid to councillors by each local authority in England.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold the information requested.

Departmental Contracts

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by his Department; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the United Kingdom, including London.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the following table shows how much the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister central spent on catering, hospitality and official entertainment for the period 1 April 2005 to date. These figures do not include any from the Government Offices which perform functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.
	
		
		
			 1 April 2005 to date Amount spent 
		
		
			 Catering 186,357 
			 Entertainment 129 
			 Hospitality 35,332 
			 Total 221,818

Departmental Projects

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Office in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has the following building and refurbishment projects being undertaken in 200506 and planned for in 200607.
	
		000
		
			  200506 200607 
			  Expected building cost Expected refurbishment cost Expected building cost Expected refurbishment cost 
		
		
			 Allington TowersLondon 
			 Fit-out costs  330   
			  
			 Eland HouseLondon 
			 Refurbishment of passenger lifts (DDA requirement)  250   
			 Rebrigading ODPM occupation  l,621  4,705 
			 Ashdown HouseLondon 
			 Refurbishment of passenger lifts (DDA requirement)  170   
			  
			 Burlington HouseLondon 
			 External repairs to grade2 listed building.  2,424  714 
			  
			 QEII Conference Centre 
			 Refurbishment of passenger lift (DDA requirement)100 
			  
			 Fire Service CollegeMoreton-in-Marsh 
			 Refurbishment of student restaurant.  216   
			 Refurbishment of student coffee bar and lounge.59 
			 Refurbishment of muster bay107 
			  
			 New Dimension project 
			 Provision of storage 300
		
	
	The figures provided, which exclude VAT, are gross expenditure and do not reflect receipts from other building occupants.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has defined refurbishment projects to be upgrading and efficiency projects exceeding 100,000.
	This answer does not include buildings occupied by Government Offices, who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Departmental Property

Angus Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid by his Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London in that year.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister paid a total of 7,589,600 in rates for its properties in 200405. All the properties are in England and the amount of rates paid to each local authority was as follows:
	
		Rates paid to local authorities in 200405
		
			 Local authority Amount () 
		
		
			 City of Westminster 5,839,992 
			 Dacorum borough council 78,660 
			 St Albans City and district council 6,014 
			 High Peak borough council 3,329 
			 Cotswold district council 411,150 
			 East Staffordshire borough council 477,432 
			 Bristol City council 761,633 
			 Trafford Metropolitan borough council 11,390 
			 Total 7,589,600 
		
	
	The amount of rates paid in respect of regions of the UK was as follows:
	
		Rates paid to local authorities in 200405
		
			 Region Amount () 
		
		
			 London 5,839,992 
			 Eastern 84,674 
			 North West 14,719 
			 West Midlands 477,432 
			 South West 1,172,783 
			 Total 7,589,600 
		
	
	Of the total amount of 7,589,600 paid by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to local authorities, 1,614,185 was recovered from other Government occupiers. ODPM also paid 224,565 in respect of rates to other Government Departments whose property they occupied.
	This answer does not include buildings occupied by Government Offices, which carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Departmental Secondees

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many secondees there have been to his Office from consultancy firms, including the Big Four accountancy firms, in each of the last three years; and what areas of the Department they have worked in.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has had one secondee from a consultancy firm in each of the last three years: Details are as follows:
	
		
			  Number Area 
		
		
			 2003 1 Local Government 
			 2004 1 Local Government 
			 2005 1 Corporate Strategy

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in his Department is located in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office will write to the hon. Member with details for the civil service of the percentage of staff in post by region and grade responsibility and the median salary of staff in post by region and grade responsibility as at 1 April 2004. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants in his Department worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) does not collect such data. Staff in ODPM may work at home subject to the agreement of their line manager and the business needs of ODPM. In making such arrangements full account is given to the rights of staff with children under the age of six under the Employment Act 2002 to request a flexible working pattern. ODPM supports such arrangements which assist staff maintain a satisfactory work/life balance, subject to there being a business justification for the arrangement.

Design for Manufacture

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the final sale price of the 60,000 homes being constructed as part of the Design for Manufacture competition.

Yvette Cooper: The Design for Manufacture competition is being run by English Partnerships on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It is anticipated that there will be mixed tenure on each site, with some homes being available for affordable rent, some under shared equity and some for private sale.
	The aim of the competition is to demonstrate how to build cost-effectively across a range of housing types without sacrificing quality. The sites are in public sector ownership. This also allows some of the competition homes to become part of our developing low cost home ownership initiatives. We anticipate that the shared equity homes will be made available at a price equivalent to the cost of construction, plus a contribution to the overall development charge for the installation and connection of services and infrastructure. Final details will be known later this year once the homes are built on site and details finalised.

Designated Growth Areas

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, columns 150102W, on designated growth areas, if he will list the providers of private funding; how much funding has been committed by each; what opportunities for private sector funding were identified by his Department in each of the growth areas; and what his Department's estimate is of the private funding that will be made available within each designated growth area by 2016.

Yvette Cooper: The answer given on 8 December 2005, Official Report, columns 150102W, referred to the opportunities that the designated growth areas will present to private sector investors. This includes investment by the privately owned utility companies in water, waste water and electricity supply infrastructure and investment by housing developers who will be expected to contribute to infrastructure requirements through Section 106 contributions.
	A specific example of private sector investment in one particular growth location was also given. In Milton Keynes, delivery partners have focused on identifying, prioritising and sourcing investment for growth related infrastructurebased on their individual circumstances and infrastructure prioritiesusing a mix of public and private sector funding. The local delivery vehicle has been negotiating a standard charge of over 18,000 per house from private developers in the east and west expansion flanks. This will generate approximately 300 million of funding to complement circa 900 million of funding from public sources in support of infrastructure to facilitate construction of 15,000 houses to 2016. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is encouraging other growth locations to follow similar principles in securing local agreement on priorities and funding their growth location business plans.
	There will of course also be direct private sector investment in new opportunities created by the growth strategies. For example in Corby, an important growth location within the Milton Keynes/South Midlands growth area, investment from private sector partners includes: major town centre retail development by Land Securities at Willow Place (Phase 1 of which is worth around 35 million); mixed use town centre and light industrial development by Quadrant Developments at Cockerell Road (which is worth around 35 million) and office, industrial and commercial development by Wilson Bowden at Phoenix Parkway (which is worth around 30 million). This is in addition to the major public sector investment (around 25 million) that has been earmarked for Corby's Parkland Gateway schemeof which 9 million is Growth Areas Funding.
	A full list of (a) all of the providers of private funding and the amount of funding committed by each and (b) the opportunities for private sector funding in each of the growth areas (covering more than 15 separate locations) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Domestic Microgeneration Devices

Greg Clark: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the average cost to (a) the applicant and (b) the planning authority of applying for planning permission to install domestic microgeneration devices.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not carried out any estimates in this context. As I informed the House on 11 November, we envisage consulting in 2006 on possible amendments to the General Permitted Development Order, including provisions that would make it easier for householders to install microgeneration equipment.

Engagements

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for (a) 13 May 2003 and (b) 16 December 2005.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister had a number of routine departmental meetings in his London office on 13 May 2003. Due to an administrative error, a previous parliamentary response to the hon. Member of 15 December 2003, Official Report, column 744W, indicated that he was on a regional visit in Hove on this date. This in fact took place one year earlier, on 13 May 2002.
	On 16 December 2005, he was on a regional visit to Portsmouth, Worthing and Brighton.

Fire Service Restructuring

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the level of service people living in North Yorkshire will receive after the restructuring of the Fire Service.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Fire and rescue authorities are required by the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to have in place and maintain an Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. It is, therefore, for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority to determine appropriate fire cover and the level of service in its area.

Fire Service Restructuring

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects work undertaken to gather information from local fire brigades about essential activities out of scope of the new regional fire control centres will be concluded.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently reviewing the information supplied by fire and rescue services on out of scope activities and we expect to be able to provide feedback directly to individual fire and rescue services in February 2006.

Fire Service Restructuring

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the implications for rural areas with a large number of retained firefighters with limited capabilities of (a) floods and (b) terrorism.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Fire and rescue authorities are required by the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to have in place and maintain an Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities, including those of floods and terrorism if appropriate. It is, therefore, for each fire and rescue authority to determine appropriate fire cover in its area, be that rural or metropolitan.
	The Government place great value on the contribution of firefighters on the retained duty system who provide the backbone of many fire and rescue authorities across the country.

Fire Service Restructuring

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost implications will be of residual control functions out of scope of regional fire control centres.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We are reviewing information provided by Fire and Rescue Services about the activities which are currently performed by control staff in existing control rooms and which are expected to lie outside the scope of the new control arrangements. Initial analysis confirms our view that there will be considerable savings from making new arrangements for performing these activities. In particular, highly trained, well-paid control room staff will no longer perform routine administrative tasks, such as managing the first aid box or holding the keys for pool cars. This will allow them to focus their efforts on achieving the best possible management of emergency incidents.

Fire Services College

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Fire Services College provides services to brigades in Scotland.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Yes. The Fire Service College provides a range of training courses for Scottish fire and rescue services. They also have access to the College's library and online information and development resources.

Homebuy Schemes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which public sector body will be providing the funds for the (a) Open Market Homebuy, (b) Social Homebuy and (c) New Build Homebuy scheme.

Yvette Cooper: Public subsidy for the Open Market and New Build HomeBuy schemes will be provided from 1 April 2006 by the Housing Corporation.
	Social HomeBuy, which enables social tenants to buy a share in their rented home, will be funded by housing associations and local authorities. In the housing association sector, the Housing Corporation will provide funding to cover the cost of the discount offered to the tenants to facilitate participation in the scheme.
	Funding for the Open Market HomeBuy option will be supplemented by the provision of private finance equity loans following a major agreement with three lenders which was announced on 5 December. This has the potential to enable a further 20,000 households to be helped into home ownership by 2010, bringing the total helped through the HomeBuy schemes to over 100,000.

Homebuy Schemes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether private sector workers will be eligible for the (a) Open Market Homebuy scheme, (b) Social Homebuy scheme, (c) New Build Homebuy scheme and (d) Key Workers Initiative.

Yvette Cooper: Private sector workers who are also social tenants, on the housing register, or first time buyers in a priority group recommended by regional housing boards will be eligible for open market homebuy and new build homebuy schemes where they are operating.
	Private sector workers who are also social tenants will be eligible for social homebuy where social landlords are operating the scheme.
	Private sector workers are not included within the eligible groups for key worker housing as the prime objective is to support improvements in public services. It is the responsibility of the private sector to deal with their own recruitment and retention issues.

Homelessness

Anne Milton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) how many homeless households in (a) Guildford, (b) Waverley and (c) Surrey were living in (i)temporary accommodation and (ii) sleeping rough in each of the past five years;
	(2)  how many beds were available for homeless households in (a) Guildford, (b) Waverley and (c) Surrey in each of the past five years.

Yvette Cooper: Information about the number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation as at 31 March, and the number of persons sleeping rough, in each of the past five years is tabled as follows for Guildford, Waverley and Surrey.
	Each local authority in England has a duty to provide accommodation to households who have been accepted as homeless and are owed a main housing duty under homelessness legislation. If the authority cannot provide a settled solution straight away the household will be placed in temporary accommodation. For this reason, authorities will not have a set number of beds for homeless households.
	
		Households in temporary accommodation(47) arranged by local authorities under homelessness provisions of Housing Acts, and numbers of persons sleeping rough(48)
		
			  Households in temporary accommodation as at 31 March  Rough sleepers 
		
		
			 2001   
			 Guildford 164 1 
			 Waverley 132 0 
			 All LAs in Surrey 1,010 2 
			
			 2002   
			 Guildford 181 1 
			 Waverley (49) 0 
			 All LAs in Surrey 1,060 2 
			
			 2003   
			 Guildford 180 0 
			 Waverley 116 0 
			 All LAs in Surrey 1,020 0 
			
			 2004   
			 Guildford 160 0 
			 Waverley 107 0 
			 All LAs in Surrey 930 0 
			
			 2005   
			 Guildford 111 0 
			 Waverley 80 0 
			 All LAs in Surrey 1,030 0 
		
	
	(47)Households in accommodation either pending a decision on their homelessness application or awaiting allocation of a settledhome following acceptance. Excludes those households designated as homeless at home that have remained in their existing accommodation and have the same rights to suitable alternative housing as those in accommodation arranged by the authority.
	(48)Number of persons sleeping rough, based on local authority mid-year counts or estimates.
	(49)Denotes data not reported. Figures for Surrey, which include estimates for partial and non-response, have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly) and HSSA returns (annual)

Homelessness

Anne Milton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) when he last met representatives of Crisis to discuss homelessness among those people housing authorities are not legally obliged to accept as homeless;
	(2)  when the Government last carried out research on the extent of homelessness;
	(3)  what plans the Government have to carry out research to establish how many people are living (a) in bed and breakfast accommodation, (b) in hostels, (c) temporarily with families and friends, (d) in other temporary accommodation and (e) sleeping rough; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Officials within the ODPM meet regularly with Crisis and I would be happy to meet with them should the situation arise.
	In relation to undertaking detailed research on the extent of homelessness, ODPM measures homelessness primarily through local authority statistics on the numbers of households seeking homelessness assistance and through counts and estimates of rough sleeping. These are the most robust and consistent measures of the problem and of changes over time. We are constantly improving them and we conduct other regular surveys to measure other indicators of housing need, such as overcrowding through the annual Survey of English Housing. This data is published and available free of charge from the ODPM website at www.odpm.gov.uk. Link: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=l154759.
	In addition, the Homelessness Act 2002 requires every local housing authority in England in have in place a strategy for preventing and tackling homelessness among all households at risk of homelessness, including for those to whom they do not owe a statutory duty to house. Every authority published its first strategies in 2003.
	The latest National Statistics on statutory homelessness, published on 12 December, showed 100,970 households in some form of temporary accommodation arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation as at 30 September 2005. Of this total, 6,290 were in bed and breakfast style units, and 9,870 were in hostels or women's refuges; all the remaining 84,810 households were in some form of self- contained accommodation, the majority of which was leased from the private sector or owned by social landlords.
	In addition to the 100,970 households in temporary accommodation on 30 September, there were a further 16,020 households who were homeless at home, that is awaiting a settled housing solution, having previously been accepted as owed a main homelessness duty but able to remain in their current accommodation for the immediate future.
	Latest estimates and street counts, as at June 2005, indicate there were 459 people sleeping rough in England on any single night. This is the lowest recorded level since the count began in 1998.

Homelessness

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to tackle hidden homelessness.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to tackling all forms of homelessness. That is why we introduced legislation in 2002 requiring all housing authorities to have a strategy in place for preventing homelessness and ensuring that accommodation and support are available for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In support of these strategies we have already invested over 200 million and will invest a further 200 million by 2008.
	We are also determined to help others who are facing difficulties in finding a home of their own, for example those staying with family and friends, or living in hostels. To help us achieve this, we are increasing the supply of new social rented homes by 50 per cent. by 2008 and investing 90 million in hostels over three years to 200708 to improve the quality and effectiveness of hostels and the services they provide to help people move on to independent living.

Homelessness

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what provisions he has made to set up emergency shelters for people sleeping rough in the event of a particularly cold winter.

Yvette Cooper: Local authorities are required to have strategies in place for ensuring that accommodation and support are available for people who become homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has already invested over 200 million to support these prevention strategies and will invest 200 million more by 2008. This funding will also support additional provision for rough sleepers in periods of severe weather.
	Whilst welcoming the fact that rough sleeper numbers in England are at an all-time low, we recognise the importance of ensuring that every effort is made to bring rough sleepers off the streets should there be a period of severe weather this winter. To that end, and further to the funding outlined above, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster has written to every local authority to ensure that they have plans in place to deal with anyone on the streets in extreme cold weather, and offer whatever advice and support is necessary to authorities who have not yet got appropriate plans in place.

Homelessness

Richard Burden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how he defines the term temporary accommodation for the purpose of setting targets for local authorities to reduce the number of homeless families in temporary accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: For the purpose of the 2010 target, temporary accommodation means any accommodation secured by an English local housing authority to discharge a power or duty to secure accommodation under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (the homelessness legislation). This can be distinguished from the provision of settled accommodation (whether in the social or private rented sectors) that brings a homelessness duty to an end.

House Building

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the additional homes planned to be built in England are expected to be (a) council, (b) housing association and (c) private homes.

Yvette Cooper: The Government responded to Kate Barker's review of Housing Supply on 5 December, outlining its ambition to increase total (private and social) housing delivery in England over the next decade to 200,000 net additions per year, from current delivery of around 150,000 net additions per year. The Government's aim is to increase home ownership to 75 per cent. and also to increase affordable housing for ownership and rent.
	This policy will inform regional and local plans for housing, however the numbers set out in the response represent Government's ambition nationally. Detailed figures at a local level are determined through statutory planning processes.
	For 200508, the Government is funding 75,000 new social homes of which at least 60,000 are expected to be provided through Registered Social Landlords. The Government have announced that social housing will be a priority in the next spending review and that we will also be piloting new ways for local authorities to support the delivery of more council housing.

Housing

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what proportion of households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need (a) contained (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three or more children and (b) consisted of an applicant who was 16 or 17 years old in each quarter since 2002; and how many households in temporary accommodation contained (A) dependent children and (B) an expectant mother in (1) London and (2) each London borough in each quarter.

Yvette Cooper: Information collected about the number of households in temporary accommodation, as arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation, at the end of each quarter identifies those containing dependent children or an expectant mother, but does not distinguish between them.
	A table presenting the information as reported by each London borough on the number of households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, during each quarter since July 2002, and the number of households with dependent children or an expectant mother in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter, has been made available in the Library of the House. This distinguishes the number of households accepted each quarter, by the number of dependent children, and those where the applicant was aged 16 or 17, as well as presenting the information as a percentage of the total number of households accepted during each quarter, and the number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter.
	The total number of households in London accepted as homeless and owed a main homelessness duty, which contained children, or an expectant mother or a 16 to 17-year-old fell from 5,650 to 4,130 (a 27 per cent. decrease) between the third quarters of 2002 and 2005 respectively.

Housing

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 682W, on housing, how many houses were identified in each local authority as being empty for six months in 200102; and in how many of those cases the local authority intervened.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing

Paul Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department has taken to assist low-income rural families to access adequate housing.

Yvette Cooper: This Government believes everyone should have access to decent housing at a price they can afford, including those in rural communities. To assist those on low incomes and key workers in such communities last year (200405) we invested over 200 million in new affordable homes.
	On 5 December we published new draft planning policy statement 3: Housing (PPS3) for consultation. This exhorts local planning authorities (LPAs) to make sufficient land available for affordable and market housing to sustain rural communities. It encourages LPAs in rural areas to adopt policies that deliver sufficient affordable housing and mixed and sustainable rural communities, for example through setting a lower site-size threshold than the indicative threshold of 15 dwellings. Draft PPS3 enables LPAs to provide for affordable housing of a specific size and type, so that housing provision addresses the identified affordable housing need in particular areas.
	We are conscious though that this is only part of the picture. The issues driving affordability in rural areas are complex and include a range of stakeholders outside Government. This is why in the summer we set up the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. We have asked the Commission to consider the evidence and reach consensus on the relevant issues around affordable housing needs in rural areas, in the context of sustainable communities, and to provide recommendations for practical solutions across private, Government, and voluntary sectors, taking account of good practice. The Commission is currently gathering evidence and will report in spring 2006.

Housing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of (a) housing, (b) regeneration and (c) social exclusion scheme funding streams that will be in operation in 200607.

Yvette Cooper: The following list shows funding streams for a wide range of policy objectives across housing regeneration and social exclusion that will be in operation in 200607:
	Housing
	Arms Length Management Organisations
	Best Value Intervention in Housing
	Disabled Facilities Grants
	Homelessness
	Housing Action Trusts
	Home Buying and Selling
	Landlord Licensing and Safety Ratings
	Tenants Deposit Scheme
	Housing Defects Grants/Loan Charges
	Housing Management Grants
	Housing Mobility Service
	Housing Revenue Account Subsidy
	Large Scale Voluntary Transfersgap funding and repayment of overhanging debt
	Leasehold Enfranchisement Advisory Service
	Choice-based Letting Schemes
	Local Authority Social Housing GrantTransitional Compensation
	Private Housing Renewal
	Private Landlords in Low Demand Areas
	Programme efficiencies in social housing
	Residential Property Tribunal Service
	Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund
	Single Housing Capital Pot (includes Housing Corporation National Affordable Housing Programme, Local Authority Supported Capital Expenditure for Housing, Private Sector Renewal Grant and Gypsy and Traveller Grant)
	Supporting People
	The National Approved Letting Scheme
	Regeneration
	Coalfields funding (Enterprise Fund and Regeneration Trust)
	Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
	Design Awards
	English Partnerships (including Commission for the New Towns)
	European Regional Development Fund
	Groundwork and National Urban Forestry Unit
	Housing Market Renewal Fund
	Interreg (European funding stream)
	Lea Valley Regional Park
	Liveability Fund
	Living Spaces
	Mersey Basin
	New Deal for Communities
	New Ventures Fund
	Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
	Other Growth Areas
	Regional Development Agencies (including London Development Agency)
	Special Grants Programme
	Thames Gateway
	Green Flags
	Liveability Performance
	Academy for Sustainable Communities (formerly Urban Design Skills)
	Local Enterprise Growth Initiative
	The Government also funds the work of the social exclusion unit. The unit does not administer funding streams directly but does work with Government Departments and other stakeholders to ensure that a wide range of Government funding programmes contribute to the reduction of social exclusion.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also funds research on housing, regeneration and social exclusion.

Housing

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on initiatives to improve housing quality for older people with particular reference to affordable (a) heating and (b) security and safety.

Yvette Cooper: The Government has set a target to bring all social housing into decent condition and to increase the proportion of private housing in decent condition occupied by vulnerable groups. Under the thermal comfort criterion element of the Decent Home standard, homes should have effective insulation and efficient heating. Older householders are among those who will benefit from these measures.
	The Government's Warm Front Scheme in England provides a range of heating and insulation measures to householders and tenants in the private sector, including pensioner households, who are in receipt of certain benefits. Where a new central heating system is installed, customers are provided with guidance on the efficient use of the system. There are similar schemes in place in each of the Devolved Administrations.
	In the pre-Budget report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that an additional 300 million would be made available to tackle fuel poverty across the UK. In England, an additional 250 million will be made available to boost the Warm Front Scheme and extend its ability to provide central heating to pensioner households, and also to provide 300 off the cost of a central heating system for all other pensioners.
	With the implementation of Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 in April 2006, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) will replace the fitness standard as the basis for intervention against unacceptable housing conditions and will also become an element of the Decent Home standard. To be decent, a dwelling will need to be free of serious (category 1) health and safety hazards, including serious hazards from entry by intruders, as assessed under HHSRS. This means that landlords, including local authorities and other social landlords, will need to take reasonable steps to ensure that their properties are secure against unauthorised entry.
	Local authorities can offer assistance in the form of grants, loans or advice towards any kind of repair, adaptation or improvement work. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) helps fund adaptations to enable disabled people to live as comfortably and independently as possible in their homes. 70 per cent. of DFG applications come from older people.
	Support and assistance for older people in accessing funding and arranging works can also be obtained from Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs), for whom Government provides support through sponsorship of a National Co-ordinating BodyFoundationsand funding from a range of sources including the Supporting People programme.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost of gap funding allocated to large scale voluntary transfers was in each year since 2001.

Yvette Cooper: 182 million has been allocated for the period 200405 to 200708. The gap funding scheme did not operate prior to this period. This funding leavers in considerable private finances.

Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of administration of the Arm's Length Management Organisation in Islington since it was established.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No estimate has been made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The funding provided under the ALMO programme is towards the cost of capital works to make homes decent only.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will introduce rules for the conduct of tenants' ballots in housing matters to cover (a) starting dates, (b) access for opposing campaigners, (c) availability of information on addresses and (d) adjudication of disputes.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to introduce such rules. Guidance to local authorities on the conduct of tenants' ballots is in the 'Housing Transfer Manual 2005'. Authorities should also ensure that they follow the 'Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity' (Circulars 20/1988 and 06/2001).

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assumptions are used in estimating building cost inflation when calculating allowances for local authority housing revenue accounts; and how such estimates are calculated.

Yvette Cooper: Major repairs allowances are increased in line with the GDP deflator, as set out in my response to the hon. Member's question number 40851.
	The national total of maintenance allowances is increased each year in line with the policies set in the Spending Review.
	The distribution of major repairs and maintenance allowances between authorities makes reference to relative construction costs as measured at county level by the average of the latest four quarters of the BCIS All-in Tender Price Index. The procedure and data are set out in full in the Commentary on the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination 20062007.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether building cost inflation is taken into account when calculating local authority major repairs allowances.

Yvette Cooper: The major repairs allowances for each building archetype are increased each year in line with the forecast GDP deflator measure of inflation provided by HM Treasury at the time of issue of the HRA Subsidy Determination. For 200607 this was 2.46 per cent.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list local authorities from which housing revenue account funds were transferred in each of the last three years, broken down by amount.

Yvette Cooper: A table showing the list of local authorities covered by the housing revenue account subsidy system, together with their subsidy entitlements, both negative and positive, in the years 200304 to 200506 inclusive has been placed in the Library of the House. The figures are subject to audit.
	Transfers from an authority are indicated by negative amounts. Where an authority has been in receipt of subsidy, those amounts are shown as positive amounts to distinguish them from authorities that have closed their housing revenue accounts, which are marked n/a in the appropriate years.
	In each of the three years, some authorities have contributed to the system, while others have received resources. In none of the years have surpluses met the full cost of deficits. We expect that payments to deficit authorities will continue to exceed resources redistributed from surplus authorities throughout this period. This means that there will be a continuing net subsidy to council housing.

Housing

Peter Law: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money has been raised to date from the sale of council houses; and what proportion of the revenue has been reinvested in the repair and upgrading of council housing stock.

Yvette Cooper: From 1 April 1990 to 31 March 2005 there has been 21.23 billion (current prices net of discounts) raised from sales of local authority dwellings sold for owner occupation. This includes right-to-buy, voluntary sales into owner-occupation and leasehold but excludes receipts from block transfers. Information on use of receipts is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing

James Duddridge: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the percentage change in council housing waiting lists (a) in Southend-on-Sea and (b) for each local authority in England has been since 1997;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be on waiting lists for council housing placements in 12 months time;
	(3)  how many people are on waiting lists for council housing placements.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 1 December 2005
	A table containing the percentage change showing increases and falls in the number of households on housing waiting lists by each district, including Southend-on-Sea, from 1997 to 2005, has been made available in the Library of the House.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not make predictions as to the future status of the housing waiting list. For information on past trends, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 October 2005, Official Report, columns 81112W to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws), in which the annual housing waiting list data for the years 1996 through to 2005 were made available in the Library of the House.
	The most recent figure for the number of households on the housing waiting list, as at 1 April 2005, is that there are 1,546,900.
	Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Local authorities sometimes maintain a common waiting list with the Housing Association/s in their district. However, information is not held centrally where a Housing Association maintains a separate waiting list to the local authority.

Land Disposal (Hackney)

Greg Hands: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what applications have been made for disposal of land for less than best consideration by the London borough of Hackney since 2000.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is tabled as follows.
	
		Less than best price applications by the London borough of Hackney 200005
		
			 Year/number Site 
		
		
			 2000  
			 1. 228 Belfast Road, London N16 
			 2. Stonebridge Lock, Tottenham Marshes, London E8 
			 3. Essex Filter Beds, Lea Bridge Road, London E8 
			 4. Lee Valley Sports Centre, Eastway, Leyton 
			 5. Shoreditch Town Hall, Annexe and car park, Old Street. EC1 
			 6. Northgate/Hearn Street, London EC2 
			   
			 2001  
			 7. 210 Hertford Road, Hackney, London Nl 
			 8. Shoreditch Town Hall, Annexe and car park, Old Street, EC1 
			   
			 2002  
			 9. Betty Laywood School, Clissold Road, London N16 
			 10. Park Lodges, Hackney 
			   
			 2003  
			 11. 9 Amhurst Park, Hackney N16 
			 12. Land at Church Walk, 46 Clissold Road, N16

Local Authority Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the Government has made of the gross expenditure of local authorities on (a) allowances and (b) pensions in 200405.

Phil Woolas: The estimated gross expenditure of English local authorities on pensions in 200405 was 5,815 million.
	This figure has been estimated from the 200405 Subjective Analysis Return (SAR), part of the Revenue Outturn (RO) suite of forms collected by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) from local authorities. The SAR is a sample survey and collects information from 121 authorities in England. The data have been grossed up to provide estimates for England as a whole and are presented on a Financial Reporting Standard 17 (FRS17) basis.
	Expenditure on staff allowances is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Local Government Finance

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the single status national pay and conditions agreement for each (a) local authority and (b) region by 2007.

Phil Woolas: No such detailed estimates have been made. The Government are committed to ensuring that local authorities can continue to deliver effective services without imposing excessive increases in council tax. We have established a work programme with the Local Government Association to analyze pay pressures including the Single Status Agreement.

Local Government Finance

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will rank shire counties in England by the (a) percentage increase and (b) cash increase in formula grant awarded in the Local Government Finance Settlement for (i)200607 and (ii) 200708.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		PQ 2761: Change in formula grant for 200607 and 200708
		
			 Local authority Change in 200607 Net change in 200607 
			  Change Percentage change Change Percentage change 
			 Shire counties  million Rank % Rank  million Rank % Rank 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 1.620 29/34 2.7 22/34 1.188 32/34 2.0 30/34 
			 Buckinghamshire 1.671 28/34 3.5 8/34 0.964 34/34 2.0 24/34 
			 Cambridgeshire 1.930 24/34 2.1 30/34 1.959 20/34 2.1 18/34 
			 Cheshire 2.398 22/34 2.8 19/34 1.705 23/34 2.0 27/34 
			 Cornwall 3.516 13/34 3.0 16/34 3.266 10/34 2.8 10/34 
			 Cumbria 3.380 14/34 3.3 13/34 3.060 11/34 3.0 6/34 
			 Derbyshire 4.345 7/34 3.4 10/34 3.728 6/34 3.0 7/34 
			 Devon 2.963 17/34 2.5 24/34 2.583 14/34 2.2 13/34 
			 Dorset 1.806 26/34 6.4 1/34 1.551 28/34 5.5 1/34 
			 Durham 3.517 12/34 2.7 23/34 3.442 8/34 2.6 12/34 
			 East Sussex 1.564 31/34 2.0 34/34 1.608 25/34 2.1 20/34 
			 Essex 5.513 3/34 2.8 20/34 3.966 5/34 2.0 28/34 
			 Gloucestershire 2.685 19/34 3.0 15/34 1.939 21/34 2.2 16/34 
			 Hampshire 4.015 11/34 3.5 9/34 2.361 18/34 2.0 25/34 
			 Hertfordshire 4.015 10/34 2.8 21/34 2.899 12/34 2.0 29/34 
			 Kent 5.491 4/34 2.5 25/34 4.443 3/34 2.0 31/34 
			 Lancashire 6.698 1/34 3.1 14/34 6.047 2/34 2.8 9/34 
			 Leicestershire 2.229 23/34 2.9 17/34 1.557 27/34 2.0 26/34 
			 Lincolnshire 5.196 5/34 3.9 4/34 4.053 4/34 3.0 5/34 
			 Norfolk 6.508 2/34 4.0 3/34 6.169 1/34 3.8 2/34 
			 North Yorkshire 2.707 18/34 3.7 7/34 2.543 15/34 3.5 3/34 
			 Northamptonshire 2.587 20/34 2.1 28/34 2.464 17/34 2.0 32/34 
			 Northumberland 1.768 27/34 2.2 26/34 1.623 24/34 2.0 22/34 
			 Nottinghamshire 4.168 8/34 3.4 11/34 3.346 9/34 2.7 11/34 
			 Oxfordshire 1.885 25/34 2.1 29/34 1.839 22/34 2.1 21/34 
			 Shropshire 1.146 34/34 2.2 27/34 1.114 33/34 2.1 17/34 
			 Somerset 3.104 16/34 3.8 6/34 2.650 13/34 3.2 4/34 
			 Staffordshire 3.280 15/34 2.9 18/34 2.489 16/34 2.2 15/34 
			 Suffolk 4.147 9/34 3.4 12/34 3.592 7/34 2.9 8/34 
			 Surrey 5.022 6/34 5.1 2/34 2.028 19/34 2.1 19/34 
			 Warwickshire 1.528 32/34 2.1 31/34 1.462 29/34 2.0 33/34 
			 West Sussex 1.586 30/34 2.0 33/34 1.573 26/34 2.0 34/34 
			 Wiltshire 1.215 33/34 2.1 32/34 1.294 31/34 2.2 14/34 
			 Worcestershire 2.571 21/34 3.8 5/34 1.367 30/34 2.0 23/34 
		
	
	
		
			 Local authority Change in 200708 
			  Change Percentage change 
			 Shire counties  million Rank % Rank 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 1.632 32/34 2.7 32/34 
			 Buckinghamshire 1.319 34/34 2.7 34/34 
			 Cambridgeshire 2.528 22/34 2.7 24/34 
			 Cheshire 2.341 25/34 2.7 26/34 
			 Cornwall 6.068 8/34 5.0 9/34 
			 Cumbria 5.667 10/34 5.4 7/34 
			 Derbyshire 7.567 4/34 5.8 4/34 
			 Devon 4.441 14/34 3.7 13/34 
			 Dorset 2.794 20/34 9.3 1/34 
			 Durham 6.522 5/34 4.9 10/34 
			 East Sussex 2.152 27/34 2.7 28/34 
			 Essex 5.442 11/34 2.7 19/34 
			 Gloucestershire 3.230 19/34 3.5 16/34 
			 Hampshire 3.241 18/34 2.7 22/34 
			 Hertfordshire 3.977 16/34 2.7 20/34 
			 Kent 6.073 7/34 2.7 18/34 
			 Lancashire 10.379 2/34 4.7 12/34 
			 Leicestershire 2.122 28/34 2.7 29/34 
			 Lincolnshire 7.641 3/34 5.5 6/34 
			 Norfolk 11.929 1/34 7.1 2/34 
			 North Yorkshire 4.538 13/34 6.0 3/34 
			 Northamptonshire 3.372 17/34 2.7 21/34 
			 Northumberland 2.454 23/34 3.0 17/34 
			 Nottinghamshire 6.033 9/34 4.7 11/34 
			 Oxfordshire 2.448 24/34 2.7 25/34 
			 Shropshire 1.875 31/34 3.5 15/34 
			 Somerset 4.945 12/34 5.8 5/34 
			 Staffordshire 4.306 15/34 3.7 14/34 
			 Suffolk 6.408 6/34 5.0 8/34 
			 Surrey 2.786 21/34 2.7 23/34 
			 Warwickshire 2.005 29/34 2.7 30/34 
			 West Sussex 2.160 26/34 2.7 27/34 
			 Wiltshire 1.619 33/34 2.7 33/34 
			 Worcestershire 1.877 30/34 2.7 31/34 
		
	
	Note:
	Counties have been ranked in decreasing order, i.e. those with the lowest rank are the authorities with the highest increase.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1962W, on local government finance, if he will break down by main budget heading (a) the 45 million of costs that will be of potential use in the future and (b) the 15 million of costs that cannot be recouped or redeployed.

Phil Woolas: The 45 million will be of use in supporting the 1993 valuation lists and also for other valuation work on domestic property which the VOA undertakes within its statutory remit. This sum includes:
	around 30 million for putting the VOA's existing hard copy records on some 22 million domestic properties onto computer and checking they are up-to-date;
	around 10 million for the AVM (Automated Valuation Model), which can automatically generate bulk valuations;
	around 5 million for designing new systems for enquiries and appeals.
	The balance of 15 million relates to such matters as recruitment and training of staff, programme management and work on the design and specification of new systems and work processes.

Local Government Finance

Peter Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average percentage change was in formula grant for each shire county (a) with and (b) without responsibility for the fire and rescue service in each of the 10 years to 200708.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the average percentage increase in formula grant on a like-for-like basis over the period 199798 to 200708 for shire counties with fire responsibilities in 200607 and for shire counties without fire responsibilities in 200607. Please note that for the period 199798 to 200304, the combined shire fire authorities were levying bodies. For this period therefore the formula grant for authorities without fire responsibilities in 200607 included an amount for fire.
	
		
			   Shire counties with fire responsibilities Shire counties without fire responsibilities 
		
		
			 199899 0.5 1.1 
			 19992000 5.0 5.0 
			 200001 4.6 4.6 
			 200102 4.9 4.6 
			 200203 6.4 6.0 
			 200304 5.8 5.6 
			 200405 6.7 6.4 
			 200506 5.9 5.9 
			 200607 3.1 2.9 
			 200708 4.2 3.7

Local Government Finance

Peter Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average percentage change was in formula grant for (a) each West Midland metropolitan district council and (b) the city councils of (i) Birmingham, (ii) Coventry and (iii) Wolverhampton in each of the 10 years to 200708.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the average percentage increase in formula grant on a like-for-like basis over the period 199798 to 200708 for all West Midland metropolitan district councils and the cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton.
	
		Percentage
		
			  West Midlands district councils Birmingham Coventry Wolverhampton 
		
		
			 199899 4.1 4.3 4.5 4.8 
			 19992000 4.7 3.6 4.6 5.4 
			 200001 3.3 3.5 2.9 3.3 
			 200102 3.7 3.5 3.2 4.1 
			 200203 5.1 5.3 4.4 5.1 
			 200304 8.1 8.1 8.4 8.2 
			 200405 7.0 7.3 6.6 6.7 
			 200506 6.6 6.7 6.3 6.3 
			 200607 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.1 
			 200708 4.2 4.7 3.8 2.7

Local Government Finance

Peter Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he took of the annual percentage change in the Retail Price Index over the 10 years to 200708 when setting formula grant levels.

Phil Woolas: In 199899, Central Support Protection Grant was introduced for the first time. This grant protected authorities from cash decreases in their formula grant for the first time. In 200102, Floor Damping was introduced for authorities with education and social service responsibility. The following year, i.e.200203, this was introduced for all authorities.
	Under the floor damping regime, the floor is self-financing within each of the authority groups covered by the scheme. This means that it is not possible to set the floor above the level of the average grant increase for that group on a like-for-like basis. When setting the level of the floor Ministers take into account a number of factors including the level of inflation expected for the period covered by the grant, the average grant increase for the group, and the scaling factor imposed on authorities above the floor. The measure of inflation used in deciding at what level the floor should be set is the GDP deflator, as this measure is forecast by Treasury, and hence is available for the period covered by the grant.

Planning Controls

Tim Yeo: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the guidance given in his Office's Planning Policy Statement7 on development ancillary to the enjoyment of a domestic dwelling, with particular reference to development in the setting of a listed building where development might have been permitted under the Town and Country Planning Act Permitted Development Order, save for the listed status of the building.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's planning policy in Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS7), 'Sustainable Development in Rural Areas', is that all new building development in the open countryside should be strictly controlled. The Government have not carried out an assessment of the impact of this policy on any specific types of development.
	Development proposals that require planning permission are matters for the local planning authority in the first instance. Planning applications should be determined in accordance with relevant policies in an adopted development plan for the area, subject to other material considerations.

Population Growth

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the policy implications for his Department of the growth in population in Aylesbury Vale.

Yvette Cooper: Aylesbury Vale forms a part of the Milton Keynes South Midlands Growth Area, one of the four growth areas established by the Communities Plan. The Growth Areas are an important component of the Government's policies for tackling housing shortages associated with household formation and population growth and complement the initiatives to be undertaken as part of the Government's December 2005 response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing Supply.
	The Government's funding allocations to local government for 200607 and 200708 are currently being consulted upon by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Whereas previous settlements have used the latest available mid-year population estimates as the basis of funding calculations, as from 200607 the level of funding will be based on forward-looking population projections. The population projections are prepared by the Office for National Statistics using a trend-based methodology which projects forward the population (using 2003 mid-year population estimates as the starting point) into the future. The new approach should be more favourable to areas experiencing population growth such as the Growth Areas.
	More generally, in its response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing Supply, the Government announced that as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review it would undertake a cross-cutting review to:
	determine the social, transport and environmental infrastructure implications of housing growth in different spatial forms and locations;
	establish a framework for sustainable and cost-effective patterns of growth, including by examining the use of targeted investment through the Community Infrastructure Fund and Growth Areas funding to support the fastest-growing areas; and
	ensure that Departmental resources across Government are targeted appropriately for providing the national, regional and local infrastructure necessary to support future housing and population growth.
	The cross-cutting review will inform the spending decisions of ODPM and other Departments for 200809 and beyond.

Regional Fire Control Centres

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1965W, on regional fire control centres, what estimate (a) the Government and (b) the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority has made of the cost of the new London control centre; and whether it will be funded from the Greater London Authority precept on council tax.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Work on a replacement regional fire control centre for London is at a very early stage and no detailed assessment of costs has been made. It is expected that any new centre would be funded in a similar way to the eight regional control centres that are being procured for the regions outside London. For those centres the capital construction costs are being met by the developers and ongoing lease and associated accommodation costs will be met by Fire and Rescue Authorities.

Regional Spatial Strategies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the regional spatial strategies will be finalised for each region.

Yvette Cooper: The provisional timetable for publication of the final regional spatial strategy for each region is as follows.
	
		
			 Region  
		
		
			 North East Early 2007 
			 East of England Spring 2007 
			 North West October 2007 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside Autumn 2007 
			 South East End 2007/Early 2008 
			 South West End 2007/Early 2008 
			 East Midlands Early 2008 
			 West Midlands partial review part 1 End 2007/ Early 2008 
			 West Midlands partial review part 2 End 20087 Early 2009

Revenue Support Grant

David Chaytor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual per capita allocation of revenue support grant was in (a) Bury metropolitan council and (b) other local authorities in the same family group in each of the last eight years; what the annual percentage increase was; and what the average per capita allocation was for all (i) metropolitan districts and (ii) English local authorities in each year.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows formula grant per head for Bury metropolitan council, all metropolitan districts, and all English local authorities for 199899 to 200506. Formula grant comprises revenue support grant, redistributed business rates and principal formula police grant.
	It should be noted that Bury metropolitan council and the other metropolitan districts only provide some services within their area, both police and fire services are provided by other authorities. The 'all English local authorities' column covers both the services provided by Bury plus police and fire services.
	
		Formula grant per head --  per head
		
			  Bury All metropolitan districts All English local authorities 
		
		
			 199899 537.918 667.653 721.889 
			 19992000 563.630 705.724 752.996 
			 200001 586.541 731.117 778.194 
			 200102 600.930 751.824 804.465 
			 200203 621.218 759.790 806.510 
			 200304 707.464 862.610 892.485 
			 200405 755.452 905.388 930.640 
			 200506 798.322 959.301 983.154 
		
	
	In their response to consultation on the local government settlement, Bury compared themselves with other authorities classed as CIPFA nearest neighbours. The CIPFA nearest neighbour toolkit would give different comparators depending on what indicators were selected. It is therefore not possible to supply revenue support grant per head for a 'family' group.
	The following table shows the percentage increase in formula grant per head year-on-year on a like-for-like basis for Bury metropolitan council, all metropolitan districts, and all English local authorities for 199899 to 200506.
	Please note that the figures provided in the first table can not be compared directly as there have been a number of changes in the funding and functions covered by formula grant over this period.
	
		Year-on-year increase in formula grant per head -- Percentage
		
			  Bury All metropolitan districts All English local authorities 
		
		
			 199899 4.4 3.3 1.4 
			 19992000 4.8 5.7 4.3 
			 200001 4.1 3.6 3.3 
			 200102 3.0 3.6 3.8 
			 200203 4.3 4.8 4.5 
			 200304 9.5 10.4 7.7 
			 200405 7.1 5.1 4.7 
			 200506 4.7 5.2 4.9 
		
	
	Please note that all of these figures are based on the respective year's settlement. In some years these figures have subsequently been subject to an Amending Report.

School Funding

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of the impact on (a) council tax and (b) local government finance gearing, of changes to the funding of schools.

Phil Woolas: The introduction of dedicated schools grant will have no effect overall on council tax or gearing. Any effect on formula grant distribution to individual authorities will be limited by floors damping.

Student Accommodation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of students living in private rented accommodation in 200506 as defined by the form returned by local authorities on 21 October 2005.

Yvette Cooper: The information is not available from the form mentioned.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's (a) document dwelling house coding-an illustrated guide and (b) standard letters V07746, V07747 and V07748.

Phil Woolas: The standard letters can de accessed online via the Valuation Office Agency's website, www.voa.gov.uk

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) dwelling house codes and (b) value significant codes in use by the Valuation Office Agency for council tax valuation purposes.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 October 2005, Official Report, column 477W. The instructions and advice documents, placed in the Library of the House, following this answer, list the dwelling house codes and value significant codes used by the Valuation Office Agency.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Valuation Office Agency (a) has, (b) does and (c) will make use of (i) aerial and (ii) satellite photography for the purposes of (A) business rates and (B) council tax valuations.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency has no contractual arrangements to use aerial or satellite photography for valuation purposes. Any decision to enter into contractual arrangements for the use of aerial photographs in the future would only be taken if this represented a sensible and cost-effective way of confirming property characteristics and the photographs were already in the public domain.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax Charter.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax Charter can be accessed on-line via the Valuation Office Agency's website, www.voa.gov.uk.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1523W, on the Valuation Office Agency, whether the Agency's (a) value significant codes and (b) dwelling house codes include indicators for (i)patios, (ii) greenhouses and (iii) scenic codes;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2005, Official Report, column 1944W, on the Valuation Office Agency, what the names are of the (a) 17 dwelling house codes and (b) value significant codes.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26 October 2005, Official Report, column 477W. The instructions and advice documents, placed in the Library of the House, following this answer, is the dwelling house codes and value significant codes used by the Valuation Office Agency.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2005, Official Report, column 1944W, on the Valuation Office Agency,when electronic value significant codes were introduced.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 13 December 2005, Official Report, column 1994W.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1972W, on the Valuation Office Agency, whether the agency has published guidance for its staff on race relations legislation.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency's Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan can be accessed on-line via the Valuation Office Agency's website, www.voa.gov.uk.

Widescreen Televisions

Norman Lamb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many widescreen televisions have been purchased by his Department for use in London Headquarters in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has only purchased one widescreen television for use in its HQ buildings in the last five years. This is installed in the reception area in Eland House and displays a 24 hour news channel with subtitles. This was purchased as part of a refurbishment programme in 200304 and the cost of the equipment could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Batteries

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding European Union directives on batteries; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government have received representations from a wide range of stakeholders, including battery and appliance manufacturers, local authorities, consumer groups, trade associations and environmental groups, both as part of the Department's 2004 public consultation on the European Commission proposal for a Directive on Batteries and Accumulators, and subsequently, as negotiations on the Directive have proceeded.
	The European Parliament completed its Second Reading of the proposed Directive on 13 December, and the measure is expected to move to the conciliation process during the first half of 2006.

Burma

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of exports from the UK to Burma was in each year since 1997 for which records are available.

Ian Pearson: According to figures published by HM Revenue and Customs, the UK's exports of goods to Burma were as follows:
	
		UK exports of goods to Burma 19972004 --  million
		
			  Current prices 
		
		
			 1997 15.4 
			 1998 12.6 
			 1999 7.4 
			 2000 8.6 
			 2001 9.5 
			 2002 7.3 
			 2003 5.0 
			 2004 2.2 
		
	
	Source:
	HM Revenue and Customs, Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS A)

Carbon Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which unit in his Department is responsible for reducing carbon emissions.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department of Trade and Industry has a joint public sector agreement target with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Transport, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. from 1990 levels by 20082012 in line with our Kyoto commitment and to move towards a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010.
	The Energy Strategy Unit within DTI is responsible for co-ordinating DTI's interest in climate change in consultation with other parts of the Department. DTI's interests primarily relate to the policies and measures designed to reduce emissions from the energy supply and business sectors while maintaining the competitiveness of UK industry and taking account of other energy policy objectives. This includes the DTI's responsibility for renewable energy and lower carbon technologies.

Christmas Lights

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the change in energy consumption in the UK over the Christmas period as a result of the electricity requirements of Christmas lights in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: National Grid have estimated that peak electricity demand increases by about 200300 MW as a result of Christmas lights. Assuming a demand of 250 MW and that lights are operational for 12 hours a day for a period of 25 days, this equates to 75GWh, or 0.02 per cent. of total annual UK electricity consumption.

Citygate Public Affairs Ltd

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings the Department has held with Citygate Public Affairs Ltd. since July.

Alan Johnson: The Department does not maintain a central list of such contacts. Ministers and civil servants, including special advisers meet many people as part of the process of policy development and business delivery. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the ministerial code, civil service code, code of conduct for special advisers and guidance for civil servants on contacts with lobbyists and people outside Government.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what controls are placed on minerals imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to verify their source and method of extraction; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a signatory of the Kimberley Process under the terms of which exports of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a government issued certificate stating that they have not been sold to fund armed conflict.

Departmental Assets

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 10 most valuable (a) movable and (b) immovable assets owned by his Department.

Alan Johnson: The Department of Trade and Industry has the following most valuable assets under headings (a) movable and (b) immovable recorded on their fixed asset register as at 31 March 2005.
	
		
		
			 Assets Value 
		
		
			 (a) Moveable assets  
			 Furniture fixtures and fittings  
			 Poolpurchases 200203 3,390,872.04 
			 Poolpurchases 200304 2,259,345.24 
			 Poolpurchases 200102 1,387,884.41 
			 Poolpurchases 200405 352,077.04 
			 Abbey Orchard Street 267,900.00 
			   
			 Plant and Machinery  
			 Variable speed drives 147,028.62 
			 Lift safety equipment 116,000.00 
			   
			 IT Equipment  
			 Telecommunications cabling 63,726.65 
			 Realtis telecommunications equipment 53,910.99 
			   
			 Plant and Machineryair conditioning 36,288.77 
			   
			 (b) Immovable assets  
			 BuildingNational Physics Laboratory, Teddington 94,081,689.48 
			 LandNational Physics Laboratory, Teddington 7,112,228.31 
			 BuildingCobalt 60 Building, Teddington 4,449,633.24 
			 BuildingNational Weights and Measure Laboratory,  Teddington 4,004,669.91 
			 BuildingChadwick Building, Teddington 3,705,654.56 
			 BuildingBushy House, Teddington 1,737,974.39 
			 LandNational Weights and Measure Laboratory,  Teddington 1,334,889.97 
			 BuildingThe Core Store building, Edinburgh 1,330,000.00 
			 BuildingThompson Building, Teddington 1,209,253.27 
			 BuildingAdvance Pressure Vessel, Teddington 259,753.88 
			 LandBritish Maritime Technology, Teddington 104,697.25 
			 BuildingBritish Maritime Technology, Teddington 94,227.53

Departmental Branded Materials

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the suppliers of branded (a) LP bags, (b) plastic carrier bags and (c) pens used by his Department in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: A response cannot be provided to this question as the Department's records do not capture this level of detail. Finding this information would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for his Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii)London in 200405.

Alan Johnson: The Department's total paybill for 200405 was as follows, from the Department's Resource Accounts for 200405.
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 Wages and salaries 246,848 
			 Social security costs 22,115 
			 Other pension Costs 34,876 
			 Sub total 303,839 
			 Less: Recoveries in respect of outward secondments (1,600) 
			 Total net costs 302,239 
		
	
	An analysis of these costs by national and regional spend is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Departmental Expenditure

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1661W, on departmental expenditure, if he will estimate the cost of branded (a) LP bags, (b) plastic carrier bags and (c) pens in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: A response cannot be provided to this question as the Department's records do not capture this level of detail. Finding this information would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.

Departmental Property

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was paid by his Department in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii)nation of the UK and (c) London.

Alan Johnson: In 200405 my Department paid 29.6 million rent ex VAT for properties on its HQ estate. This comprised 28.296 million (London), 0.155 million (Yorkshire and Humberside) and 0.061 million (North East) in England and 1.094 million in Scotland.

Departmental Property

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was paid by his Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London.

Alan Johnson: The Department paid 9.708 million in rates for buildings on its HQ estate in 200405. In England this comprised 9.318 million (Westminster), 0.078 million (Wandsworth) and 0.139 million (Lambeth) in London, 0.060 million (Sheffield) in Yorkshire and Humberside and 0.019 million (Stockton) in North East region. In Scotland this comprised 0.055 million (Edinburgh) and 0.245 million (Aberdeen).

Departmental Salaries

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 10 highest-paid employees in his Department; what the (a) job title and (b) salary including bonuses is of each; and whether the individual concerned is (i) a civil servant and (ii) a contractor in each case.

Alan Johnson: Details of the highest paid employees in DTI are as follows:
	
		
			 Position Pay Band Bonus 
		
		
			 (a) Permanent Secretary, Department  (a) Potential to earn a bonus of up to 16,000 in 
			 of Trade and Industry Within the permanent secretary pay range the 2005 pay round depending on performance 
			 (b) Chief Scientific Adviser to HM of 130,350 to 264,250 (b) Potential to earn a bonus of up to 20 per 
			 Government and Head of the Office of  cent. per annum depending on performance. 
			 Science and Technology   
			   
			 Director General, Business Group   
			
			 Director General, Energy Within the senior civil service pay band 3 range Potential to earn bonuses of up to 8,000 in the 2005 
			 Director General, Special Projects of 93,139 to 198,197 pay round depending on performance 
			 The Solicitor and Director General, Legal  
			 Group  
			
			
			 Chief Economic Advisor and Director   
			 General, Economics   
			  Fixed term appointmentssalaries within the  
			  senior civil service pay band 3 range of 93,139 Potential to earn bonuses of up to 15 or 20 per cent. 
			 Chief Executive, Small Business Service to 198,197 or the senior civil service pay band 2 per annum depending on performance 
			 Director, Information and Workplace range of 75,606 to 159,659 
			 Services  
			 Director General of Research Councils   
			 Director General, Innovation Group   
		
	
	The DTI uses contractors from time to time but they are not members of the staff of the Department.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of his Department's employees have taken early retirement in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: The number of employees who have taken early retirement in each year since 1997 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of employees 
		
		
			 1997 54 
			 1998 26 
			 1999 25 
			 2000 27 
			 2001 22 
			 2002 30 
			 2003 24 
			 2004 140 
		
	
	The above figures include those who have retired voluntarily with an actuarially reduced pension, those who have retired with benefits under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) and those who have retired on ill-health grounds. Most of the departures in 2004 were as a result of a flexible early retirement scheme under the CSCS.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff are employed by his Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics. Table D of these statistics covers permanent staff numbers (FTE basis) in each Department and agency. Civil Service Statistics are available in the Libraries of the House and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ of_the_civil_service/statistics/civil_service_statistics/index.asp
	Data on staffing levels in the civil service are now collected quarterly from Departments and agencies via a quarterly ONS survey, as part of the remit to measure the size of the public sector as a whole. Details of the new methodology can be found on the ONS website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/nojournal/PSE_ final.pdf
	Civil service staffing trends by Department are published by the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis via its statistics website. http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/index.asp
	The most recent figures, as at 30 June 2005, were published on 6 October 2005.

Departmental Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 200405 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (c) London.

Alan Johnson: Total Executive NDPB staff numbers as at 31 March 2005, for which my Department is responsible, are recorded in Public Bodies 2005, a coy of which is in the Libraries of the House and which is available online at: http://www/civilservice.gov.uk/the_ thefuture_of_the_civil_service/agencies_and_public_ bodies/publications/pdf/public_bodies/publicbodies 2005.pdf.
	However, the NDPB data do not detail the regional breakdowns. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The agency chief executives will individually send to the hon. Member details relating to their own organisations.
	Letter from Ron Marchant, dated 9 January 2006
	I am responding to this parliamentary question, tabled on 6 December 2005, regarding how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 20045 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (c) London.
	Patent Office staffing figures as at 1 March 2005 were:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Total 1,023 
			   
			 Each nation  
			 England (50)19 
			 Wales 1,004 
			 Scotland 0 
			 Northern Ireland 0 
			   
			 Each region 0 
			   
			 In London 19 
		
	
	(50)London
	Letter from Martin Wyn Griffith, dated 9 January 2006
	I am responding to this parliamentary question, tabled on 6 December 2005, regarding how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 20045 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (c) London.
	Small Business Service staffing figures as at 31 March 2005 were:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Total 355 
			   
			 Each nation  
			 England 355 
			 Wales 0 
			 Scotland 0 
			 Northern Ireland 0 
			   
			 Each region  
			 NE 5 
			 NW 9 
			 YH 118 
			 EM 7 
			 WM 5 
			 E 4 
			 SE 5 
			 SW 5 
			   
			 In London 197 
		
	
	On 31 March we closed our regional teams and passed responsibility for those activities to the regional development agencies. We retain headquarters offices in Yorkshire and London.
	Letter from Jeff Llewellyn, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question regarding how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 200405 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (c) London.
	The National Weights and Measures Laboratory had 47.3 fte staff at 31st March 2005. All were employed at Teddington, Middlesex.
	Letter from Clare Clancy, dated 9 January 2006
	I am responding to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on behalf of Companies House, which is an Executive Agency of the DTI.
	The number of staff employed in our offices in 2004/5 as a total, and individually is as follows:
	
		
			  Total employees (including part-time) Full-time equivalent posts 
		
		
			 Cardiff, Wales 1,244 1,127 
			 Edinburgh, Scotland 38 36 
			 London, England 9 9 
			 Total 1,291 1,172 
		
	
	Letter from Graham Horne, dated 9 January 2006
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of The Insolvency Service in respect of your question (2318/2005) asking how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodes and agencies in 200405 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (c) London.
	As at 31 March 2005 a total of 1,806 staff were employed by The Insolvency Service.
	By nation of the UK these staff were distributed as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Wales 48 
			 Scotland 33 
			 England 1,725 
		
	
	The split for Insolvency Service Regions is shown below. These are not the same as government regions but are based on county court jurisdictions.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 North East 179 
			 North West 208 
			 Midlands 403 
			 South West 169 
			 South East 166 
			 Anglia 158 
			 Croydon/Watford 81 
			 London 409

Departmental Tendering Policy

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is on including (a) ethical and (b) environmental factors in tenders for services.

Alan Johnson: Guidance on the inclusion of environmental issues in procurement is contained in the Department's Procurement Manual. We also follow OGC guidance on Fair and Ethical Trading.
	All new contracts for services to support the DTI operational estate include appropriate clauses covering ethical and environmental clauses as part of the DTI's ISO 14001 certification. Such requirements are routinely included as part of any tender evaluation proposals. Firms tendering for such services are also referred to the Framework for Sustainable Development in Government (SDIG) website and must explain as part of their tender submission how they meet SDIG requirements.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial support has been made available through the Export Credits Guarantee Department for (a) fossil fuel power plants, (b) nuclear plants, (c) renewable energy generation schemes and (d) carbon capture and storage sequestration technology schemes in each year since 1997.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The following table details the financial support made available by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) for power plants in the fossil fuel, nuclear, renewable energy and carbon capture and sequestration technology sectors, since 1997:
	ECGD has provided no financial support for power plants in these sectors since 2002.
	
		 million
		
			 Fuel type /Market 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 Total 
		
		
			 Fossil   
			 Abu Dhabi  88 
			 Anguilla  11 
			 Bangladesh7  7 
			 Brazil  1616 
			 China 32 291 1   323 
			 Cyprus  55 
			 Dominican Republic23  23 
			 Egypt   6   6 
			 Hong Kong 73   1  74 
			 India  20 89 48  157 
			 Indonesia 39 39 
			 Israel 11 11 
			 Malaysia   770   770 
			 Mexico   3 77  80 
			 Oman   10 25  35 
			 Philippines   72   72 
			 Saint Kitts and Nevis  88 
			 Taiwan   128 18  146 
			 Turkey  22  34  56 
			 Vietnam   24   24 
			 Zimbabwe 9 9 
			
			 Nuclear   
			 China  5858 
			
			 Renewable   
			 Thailand 6 6 
			
			 Carbon Capture and storage  sequestration Technology  0 
			 Total 159 428 1,103 233 11 1,933

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the location of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be.

Meg Munn: A decision has been taken to locate main sites of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights in Manchester and London with the majority of staff in Manchester and a significant presence in London. There will also be offices in Glasgow and Cardiff. We want the Commission to be a powerful and authoritative champion of equality and human rights across Great Britain.
	This decision followed a comprehensive independent study to assess a number of options. An equality impact assessment and a race equality impact assessment were also carried out on the location options identified in the study. Further work will now be undertaken to determine the operational functions to be located at the sites.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Committee for the implementation of the multinannual Community action plan on promoting the safe use of the internet, (b) Standing Committee for the harmonisation of national legislation relating to recreational craft and (c) Standing Committee for the approximation of the laws of member states relating to lifts have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The Committee for the implementation of the multi-annual Community action plan on promoting the safe use of the internet did not meet during the UK presidency.
	(b) It is my understanding that the hon. Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up under Article 6 of Directive 94/25/EC (as amended) on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of member states relating to recreational craft. The Standing Committee met in Brussels on 20 December 2005. The meeting was chaired by the European Commission and two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry represented the United Kingdom. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments, as this is not a devolved issue.
	(c) The mandate of the lifts Standing Committee is contained in Article 6.3 of the Lifts Directive 95/16/EC. The committee did not meet during the UK presidency.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Committee on general authorisations and individual licences in the field of telecommunications services, (b) EC-India RTD Cooperation Steering Committee and (c) Coordinating Committee on Fusion Energy EC-USA have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: None of the aforementioned committees met during the UK presidency of the EU.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Textile Committee (conventional regime), (b) Advisory Committee on medical devices and (c) Advisory Committee for the transparency of measures governing the pricing of medicinal products for human use have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) This committee is not known by the name given. This committee is known as the Textiles Management Committee and met four times during the UK presidency. This is a Commission-chaired committee and an official from the Department of Trade and Industry represented the UK. No provisions were made for representations from devolved governments.
	(b) and (c) are a matter for the Department for Health.

EU Trade

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry what steps the Government have taken in its capacity as holder of the EU presidency to negotiate EU trade policy at the World Trade Organisation.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement to the House made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 20 December 2005.

Heating Sources

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the merits of using heat generated from the hot road sub-surface of new roads to provide heating in houses and commercial and industrial buildings.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	The Highways Agency commenced a two-year trial in September 2005 to investigate the feasibility of using the solar energy absorbed by a road surface both as a renewable energy source to heat buildings nearby and as an alternative winter maintenance option to using salt for de-icing.

Export Licences

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) open individual export licences were issued and (b) open individual export licences issued with a validity period of (i) two years, (ii) three years, (iii) five years and (iv) more than five years by the Government was in the periods (A) January to March 2004, (B) April to June 2004, (C)June to September 2004, (D) October to December 2004, (E) January to March 2005, (F) April to June 2005 and (G) July to September 2005.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		OIELs issued for the period 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2005 -- Number
		
			 Period Total number of OIELs issued 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years More than 5 years 
		
		
			 2004
			 January to March 109 0 77 30 0 2 0 
			 April to June 126 0 95 29 0 2 0 
			 June to September 140 0 97 41 0 1 0 
			 October to December 143 3 84 16 0 40 0 
			 
			 2005
			 January to March 109 3 33 6 1 66 0 
			 April to June 146 5 36 5 0 99 1 
			 July to September 126 1 26 6 0 93 0

Fair Trade

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government proposes to take at the World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong to ensure a fair deal for the world's poorest farmers; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement to the House made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 20 December 2005.

Fuel Poverty

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the level of fuel poverty in (a) Aylesbury Vale and (b) England and Wales.

Malcolm Wicks: The most recent data on the level of fuel poverty in England corresponds to 2003 and was published in July 2005 in the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy Third Annual Progress Report. This data, sourced from the English House Condition Survey, showed that the number of fuel poor households in England in 2003 was around 1.2 million.
	The most recent data on the level of fuel poverty in Wales corresponds to 2004. This data, which has recently become available from the Living in Wales Survey, showed that the number of fuel poor households in Wales in 2004 was around 130,000 households.
	As fuel poverty is a devolved issue, figures have been collected on a country-by-country basis, with varying definitions and time frames covered.
	We are unable to provide a breakdown of the number of households in fuel poverty by individual towns, however detailed regional data is available from the 2003 English House Condition Survey as follows:
	
		Number
		
			 Government office region Households in fuel poverty 
		
		
			 North East 95,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 180,000 
			 North West 178,000 
			 East Midlands 112,000 
			 West Midlands 146,000 
			 South West 139,000 
			 Eastern 115,000 
			 South East 149,000 
			 London 108,000

Gas

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the recent reduction in gas production from mixed oil and gas fields.

Malcolm Wicks: Production of associated gas from the mixed oil and gas fields located principally in the northern and central North Sea has varied over time for a number of reasons. The rate of production is affected by contractual nominations, by planned and unplanned maintenance, by the effect of investment in new production or injection wells or well workovers in existing fields, by the effect of past production reducing reservoir pressure in existing fields and by the effect of new fields coming into production. Total associated gas production from the UK continental shelf peaked in 2002 and has since declined. Production from new fields coming on-stream has not matched the decline in production from existing fields, though there have been significant changes from month to month. Production in August 2005 was particularly low, with reduced deliveries at all four of the main coastal landing terminals (CATS, FLAGS, SAGE and SEAL), but by October production was back close to the level of a year earlier.

Gas

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives there are for oil and gas producers to maintain gas production from mixed fields.

Malcolm Wicks: Producers of oil and gas have commercial incentives to produce gas, whether that is dry gas from the gas fields found principally in the southern basin of the north sea and in the Irish sea or associated gas from the mixed oil and gas fields located principally in the northern and central north sea. The rate of production can be affected by contractual nominations, by planned and unplanned maintenance and by the effect of investment in new production, in injection wells or in well workovers.

Gas

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to compensate industrial users of natural gas in the event of a need to reduce offtake during high demand periods in the winter.

Malcolm Wicks: Where the industrial customer has an interruptible contract (either for their gas transportation and/or shipping/supplies) they are compensated for potentially being interrupted a number of days a year by paying a lower bill. Some customers may decide to reduce their gas demand to enable their shippers to sell the gas they would otherwise have consumed back to the market. This is known as demand side response. It is for the customer and the shipper to strike a contract in a way that ensures the appropriate transfer of money from the shipper to the customer. However, where a customer has opted not to buy gas, because they assess it is commercially unviable to do so in respect of their particular industrial process, there is no provision for direct compensation for that reduction in gas usage.
	Other than for commercial reasons as described above, interruption of gas supplies to industrial consumers is only otherwise undertaken by the relevant network operators as part of a gas emergency, as a safety measure in order to protect the general public. In this situation there are no provisions for compensation.

Gas

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to enable UK industrial users of gas to source supplies directly from Europe.

Malcolm Wicks: UK industrial users are of course free to contract with gas shippers to source supplies directly from Europe within the physical constraints of current gas import infrastructure. I recently met capacity holders at the Isle of Grain LNG terminal and on the interconnector to ensure that this capacity is well utilised.
	Flows of gas through the Interconnector have not been close to its expanded capacity. We are asking the European Commission to establish why there has not been more gas available to import through the Interconnector, given the large price differential. In addition, we continue to pressure the European Commission. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry have written to the Commission about this, and I used our UK Presidency to push this in the Energy Council. Ofgem also sent a delegation to Madrid earlier this month to investigate Spanish provisions for the importation of LNG.

Gas

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the liquid natural gas import facility at the Isle of Grain is fully used.

Malcolm Wicks: Both of the companies that own rights to the import capacity at the Isle of Grain LNG facility have reassured me that they have booked cargoes that will fill, or nearly fill, all the available slots throughout the winter. They are working on filling the remaining slots. Ofgem is taking forward work to make sure the Use It Or Lose It regime at the facility is working effectively, so that any slots not used by the primary capacity holders will be made available to others who might use it. National Grid's website shows that gas has been flowing from the Isle of Grain facility onto the gas networks at or close to capacity over most of the past two weeks.

Jubilee Sailing Trust

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the financial position of the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Alun Michael: I am not aware of any representations about the financial position of the Jubilee Sailing Trust. The company of that name filed its accounts to 31 March 2005 on 12 December 2005. These are available for public inspection. The Jubilee Sailing Trust is also a registered charity so information about it may be available from the Charities Commission.

Miners' Compensation Claims

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to solicitors acting on behalf of the Department for advising on mineworkers' compensation claims in each year since 1998.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has paid solicitors the following sums for advice relating to mineworkers' compensation schemes:
	
		
			  Amount paid ( million) 
		
		
			 2002 3.9 
			 2003 6.6 
			 2004 6.6 
			 2005 4.8 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures before 2002 are not readily available.

Non-Fossil Fuel and Renewables Obligations

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums of money have been transferred in the last 12 months by Ofgem to the Consolidated Fund from the non-fossil fuel obligation fund in respect of section 7 of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003; what the date was of each transfer; who made the decision to make each transfer; on what date; what legal advice was taken by the Government before transferring the money to ascertain that this transfer was legal; and if he will place a copy of the legal advice received in the Library.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 December 2005
	Ofgem have not transferred any money in the last 12 months to the Consolidated Fund, from the non-fossil fuel obligation fund, in respect of Section 7 of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003. However, Ofgem transferred 60 million to the Consolidated Fund, from the non-fossil fuel obligation fund, in respect of Section 7 of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 on 14 July 2004.
	The power and the legal basis to transfer 60 million to the Consolidated Fund, from the non-fossil fuel obligation fund, are set out in Section 7 of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003. A copy of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 is available from the Libraries of the House.

Non-Fossil Fuel and Renewables Obligations

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been transferred from the surplus funds of the (a) Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation and (b) Renewables Obligation to the Consolidated Fund since 1997; what estimate he has made of transfers in each case over the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is responsible for the administration of funds for the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) and the Renewables Obligation (RO). However, we understand that since 2 May 1997 Ofgem have made two payments from the surplus revenue arising from the NFFO, to the Consolidated fund, totalling 210 million. 60 million of which was used for the support of renewable energy projects. The RO does not have surplus revenue, as the money is recycled to electricity suppliers on presentation of Renewable Obligation Certificates.
	Any additional payments from the NFFO, to the Consolidated Fund, over the next 3 years will depend on the surplus revenue collected by the Non Fossil Fuel Purchasing Agency.

Nuclear Power

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the impact of nuclear power on climate change.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has made no recent assessment of the impact that nuclear power would have on climate change.
	The 2003 Energy White Paper published the results of extensive modelling of the costs of different options for reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the period to 2050. The analysis is available at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/phase2.pdf
	In November 2005 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that there would be a review of energy policy which would report in summer 2006. This will involve further analysis of the costs of different options for meeting the Government's long-term targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Pay Gap

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women; and what the pay gap was in 1975.

Meg Munn: The median full-time gender pay gap has reduced from 14.5 per cent. in 2004 to 13.0 per cent. in 2005.
	The full-time pay gap in 1975 was 30 per cent. using the mean 1 (as no figures are available using the median). This compares with the mean full-time gender pay gay of 17.0 per cent. in 2005 2 .
	Although progress has been made, there still remains a gap between men and women's pay and the Women and Work Commission was set up specifically to look at this issue. I look forward to their final report early in the new year, and to taking action on their findings and recommendations to reduce the gender pay gap further.
	1 Based on the New Earnings Survey
	2 Based on the Annual Survey of Hourly Earnings

Power Stations

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on integrated gasification combined cycle power stations.

Malcolm Wicks: Decisions as to the choice of technology for new electricity generating capacity are for private sector investors.

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Alan Johnson: Information about the political activity of appointees is recorded and publicised in accordance with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. This shows that no former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 have since been appointed to public bodies sponsored by the Department.

Public Service Agreements

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress his Department has made towards fulfilment of each aspect of Public Service Agreement Target 4 in the last six months; whether his Department is on track to meet each aspect of the target; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 November 2005
	The UK remains on course to achieve its Kyoto target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below base year levels by 200812. Latest provisional estimates show that UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 are estimated to have fallen to about 12.6 per cent. below 1990 levels.
	In order to meet the very challenging domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO 2 emissions by 2010 it is recognised that more needs to be done, as existing policies in the current climate change programme will not on their own achieve the target reduction. Current analysis shows that carbon dioxide emissions increased by around 1.5 per cent. between 2003 and 2004, mainly due to estimated increases in industrial and transport sector emissions. The current review of the Climate Change Programme gives the opportunity to examine a wide range of policies that we might put in place for the future, to put us back on track towards the 2010, and our longer-term carbon dioxide goal. Key contributions to the revised programme will be initial plans for Phase2 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS); the results of the Energy Efficiency Innovation Review; and the recently announced Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation. Responsibility for the delivery of this goal is held jointly with the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, and Department for Transport.
	Overall position on energy supplies was covered in the first Annual Report to Parliament (Section 172 Security of Supply report was published July 2005). This covers in detail the short and medium term outlook for the UK supply-demand balance, drawing on National Grid's preliminary outlook for this winter published by OFGEM. The Government's market-based approach has delivered benefits over a number of years in terms of low prices and reliable supplies. However, this winter the gas market is likely to be tighter than in recent winters. Under normal weather conditions there are sufficient gas supplies and electricity to meet demand. If the forthcoming winter is much colder than average there will be a need for a response from the demand side of the gas market. DTI and Ofgem have been working with major users to try to encourage this response if necessary. National Grid have made it clear in their winter outlook statement that there will be no problem for domestic gas customers, small businesses and organisations, no matter how severe the winter, barring freak technical disruptions. Looking to the medium term the Government and OFGEM continually monitor developments in the gas and electricity market through the Joint Energy Security of Supply Group (JESS).
	The latest independent report published in November 2005, based on provisional data for 2004 and using established benchmarking methodology, indicates that the UK continues to exhibit the most competitive electricity and gas markets within the EU and G7. This has been due to early liberalisation of gas and electricity markets in the UK. However, the dynamic effect of the liberalisation programme across continental Europe may change that position in the future.
	Progress against the Government's fuel poverty targets is published in an annual report (the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy 3rd Annual Progress report, published July 2005). The number of households in fuel poverty in the UK as a whole has fallen by around 4.5 million since 1996, to a level of around 2 million in 2003. However between 2003 and 2006 the number of households in fuel poverty will have increased as a result of higher prices. This will make reaching the 2010 fuel poverty target more challenging. Departments are working with suppliers and voluntary organisations to look at ways that vulnerable consumers can best take advantage of the current assistance available. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group in England published its third annual report this year, highlighting the need for consideration to be given to the resources needed to tackle fuel poverty, and the importance of all Government Departments continuing to work together on the issue. DTI and the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs share wording on this goal within their respective PSA targets.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the feasibility of consolidating the data from different Departments on different time scales which are needed to assess 2004 PSA Target 9.

Alan Johnson: When this PSA target was set, details of the various sub-targets that underpin it were brought together in the Technical Note for this target. This is available on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/pdfs/psa_9.pdf.
	Progress against all the sub-targets will be reported in the Department's twice yearly public reports on PSA delivery. The next of these reportsand the first assessment of progress towards the PSA targets set out in the 2004 Spending Reviewwill be in the forthcoming autumn performance report 2005, which will be laid before Parliament in mid-December.
	As data from different Departments is produced to different timescales, assessments of progress are made on the basis of latest available data. A final assessment will be made when final data are available for all sub-targets.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what time scales his Department has set for achieving 2004 Public Service Agreement Target (a) 4 and (b) 6.

Alan Johnson: The information is as follows.
	(a) PSA 4 Energy
	The Energy White Paper published in 2003 set out a long-term framework for policy development with four key objectives; to put ourselves on the path to cutting UK carbon dioxide emissions, to maintain the reliability of security of supplies, to promote competitive energy markets in the UK and beyond and to ensure every home is adequately and affordably heated. These form the basis of the 2004 PSA Target 4.
	The first goal within the PSA target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels, and move towards a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels, by 2010. These are initial stages towards meeting our goal to put the UK on a path to cut carbon dioxide emissions by some 60 per cent. by about 2050. Responsibility for the delivery of this goal is held jointly with the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, and Department for Transport.
	The goal for energy reliability, within the PSA target, is that the market provides sufficient capacity to meet maximum gas and electricity demand in each year to 2008.
	The goal for competitive energy markets, within the context of the PSA target, is that UK energy markets remain in the top three of the EU and G7 countries. This is measured annually by independent assessment, using indicators of competitiveness peer reviewed by energy market experts.
	The final goal of the PSA target is to eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households, as far as reasonably practicable in England by 2010 in line with the Government's Fuel Poverty Strategy objective.
	(b) PSA 6 Enterprise
	This PSA has three sub-targets (i) an increase in the number of people considering going into business, (ii) an improvement in the overall productivity of small firms and (iii) more enterprise in disadvantaged communities. These targets are to be achieved by 2008.
	Details of how these targets are measured are set out in the Technical Note for this target. This is available on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/pdfs/psa_6.pdf.

Renewable Energy

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent in each year since 1980 on the research and development of (a) tidal power, (b) wind power, (c) geothermal power, (d) hydro power, (e) solar power and (f) nuclear fusion; and what further sums are planned to be spent.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 12 December 2005
	It has not been possible to collate all public expenditure and other Government support since 1980 for energy technologies in the time available at proportionate cost. However, it is possible to detail the DTI and Research Council expenditure on new, renewable, and nuclear research and development. These are set out in the following tables.
	Further spend on all of these technologies will be in line with the Government's objectives.
	
		DTI New and Renewable Energy ProgrammeExternal spend for each technology area by financial year from 199091 -- Rounded to nearest thousand
		
			 Programme area 199091 199192 199293 199394 199495 199596 199697 199798 
		
		
			 Geothermal-Aquifers -8,000 55,000 130,000 143,000 0 0 0 0 
			 Geothermal-Hot Dry Rocks 2,579,000 1567,000 1,088,000 989,000 245,000 0 0 0 
			 Hydro 33,000 122,000 70,000 167,000 148,000 79,000 142,000 57,000 
			 Solar 2,124,000 2,354,000 2,302,000 2,378,000 2,067,000 1,878,000 1,874,000 1,660,000 
			 Tidal 1,860,000 1,932,000 1,726,000 582,000 220,000 165,000 0 0 
			 Wave 388,000 467,000 325,000 196,000 106,000 42,000 50,000 0 
			 Wind 4,530,000 6,674,000 8,694,000 7,310,000 2,729,000 3,370,000 2,365,000 1,240,000 
			  
			 Nuclear  73,500,000 69,200,000 60,900,000 12,500,000 6,000,000 9,300,000 1,000,000 
		
	
	
		
			 Programme area 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Geothermal-Aquifers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Geothermal-Hot Dry Rocks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Hydro 80,000 138,000 60,000 130,000 200,000 85,000 0 
			 Solar 983,000 1,278,000 1,264,000 1,522,000 4,485,000 3,131,000 1,970,340 
			 Tidal 0 0 27,000 305,000 1,996,000 2,914,000 1,268,530 
			 Wave 91,000 11,000 331,000 662,000 748,000 2,104,000 0 
			 Wind 950,000 801,000 913,000 1,248,000 1,428,000 1,395,000 1,459,600 
			 
			 Nuclear 1,600,000 2,500,000 0 2,000,000 2,100,000 2,100,000 2,200,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.From 200001, figures do not include spend on contracts placed direct by DTI.
	2.For 200405, highlighted cells show a combined spend for the two areas
	
		Research council spend
		
			 Research area 19992000 200001 200102 200203 20034 20045 
		
		
			 Wind 178,000 261,000 330,000 490,000 482,000 256,000 
			 Wave and tidal 175,000 301,000 606,000 617,000 830,000 1,050,000 
			 Biomass 736,000 601,000 701,000 783,000 1,043,000 1,186,000 
			 Biofuel 0 22,000 52,000 144,000 135,000 92,000 
			 Photovoltaic 2,760,000 2,992,000 3,536,000 2,770,000 2,381,000 2,762,000 
			 Solar 1,076,000 1,134,000 1,130,000 1,157,000 1,453,000 1,753,000

Renewable Energy

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what comparative analysis has been undertaken on (a) the impact on carbon footprints and (b) the cost effectiveness of (i) new renewable energy schemes and (ii) carbon sequestation technology.

Malcolm Wicks: The 2003 Energy White Paper published the results of extensive modelling of the costs of different options for reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the period to 2050. The analysis is available at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/phase2.pdf.
	In November 2005 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that there would be a review of energy policy which would report in summer 2006. This will involve further analysis of the costs of different options for meeting the Government's long-term targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Renewable Energy

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by his Department into the long-term impact of burying sequestered carbon.

Malcolm Wicks: We published two reports on Carbon Sequestration and the results of these can be found in The Review of Carbon Capture and Storage in the UK and The Carbon Abatement Technology (CAT) Strategy for Fossil Fuel Use, both of which can be found in the Libraries of the House. Both reports can also be found on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal/cfft/co2capture/review.pdf, and http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal/cfft/cct/pub/catreportlinked.pdf.
	The supporting analysis underpinning the Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy which can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal/cfft/cct/pub/pdfs/r301.pdf provides the work to date on predicting the impact of deploying this technology. Further work on this area is planned as part of the CAT Strategy.

Renewable Energy

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent in direct subsidies to (a) renewable energy generation and (b) nuclear energy generation for each year since 1990.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Leominister (Bill Wiggin) on 12 September 2005, Official Report, column 2262W.

Renewable Energy

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a detailed feasibility study has been carried out to establish whether the recommendation in his Department's Buildings Renewable Strategy report to install renewable energy technologies in each of the Department's buildings is achievable; and whether the other recommendations in the report have been implemented.

Alan Johnson: Work to investigate the feasibility of the renewable energy technology and low carbon options suggested within the Carbon Trust report is now in hand.

Renewable Energy

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a budget has been set for the applications of renewable and low carbon technologies for his Department's buildings.

Alan Johnson: Any costs involved in such work are an integral part of the capital works programme on the DTI HQ estate and therefore no separate budgetary allowance has been made.

Renewable Energy

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's targets are for increased use of renewable fuels for energy generation; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government have a target that 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity supply should come from Renewable Obligation (RO) eligible source of renewable energy by 2010, with an aspiration to double that by 2020.
	In 2004, 3.1 per cent. of the UK's electricity supply came from RO eligible sources of renewable energy.

Rhyl Flats Wind Farm

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the proposed Rhyl Flats wind farm is to be located on the Constable Bank.

Malcolm Wicks: The position of the wind farm could be described as being on the north eastern edge of Constable Bank but it is difficult to define the boundaries of this or any other sea bed feature precisely as they change with time. It is, therefore, best to define the location of the wind farm by fixed co-ordinates rather than its position relative to, what could be, mobile sea bed features.
	The impact of the Rhyl Flats project in relation to the Constable Bank and other marine features was fully considered by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and others in agreeing that the various consents for the project should be granted.

Small Business Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to enable the regional development agencies to take over the responsibilities of the Small Business Service.

Alun Michael: The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) took over local and regional management of Business Link from the Small Business Service on 1 April 2005. The Small Business Service has a much wider role of promoting enterprise and small business development, including working across government to ensure that the UK is the best place in the world to start and grow a business. It is also responsible for promoting social enterprise.

Student Finance

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons it was decided to exclude the financial information regarding student loans from data sharing arrangements between financial institutions.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 2 December 2005
	I have been asked to reply.
	No action has been taken to exclude data sharing between financial institutions themselves about student loans.
	We do not currently plan to take forward proposals to share data with credit reference agencies but as with all policy issues we will keep this issue under review.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent by his Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the United Kingdom, including London.

Alan Johnson: The Department of Trade and Industry has recorded expenditure of 146,677.82 on taxi travel to date this financial year.
	Information on the national and regional distribution of this expenditure is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Trade-related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights Council

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on access to medicines through the Trade-Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights Council.

Alan Johnson: An important success has been achieved by WTO Members resulting in a permanent WTO agreement on access to medicines, which was reached on 6 December 2005. The agreed amendment to the WTO Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) Agreement enables developing countries to import generic copies of patented medicines when they are unable to manufacture the medicines themselves. This timely agreement demonstrates the willingness of WTO Members to ensure that the TRIPs Agreement is supportive of public health needs in the developed world.
	In addition, during the UK presidency of the EU, we have recently agreed an EU regulation which enables European generic manufacturers to export under this agreement.

Uranium

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government have recently sought advice regarding the long-term availability of high grade uranium ore; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: This is an important issue that will be considered as part of the Energy Review's analysis of how different technologies could help us meet our Energy White Paper goals.
	The Department has not recently sought advice on the long-term availability of high-grade uranium ore.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department announced on 15 December 2005 that it would be reviewing progress on the implementation of the EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment and undertaking a public consultation on its proposals for this during the spring of 2006 before transposing the main provisions of the directive into UK law.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the status is of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive in the EU; and when the legislation is due to come into effect.

Malcolm Wicks: The EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment was adopted by the European Council and Parliament on 13 February 2003. The Government announced on 15 December 2005 that it would be reviewing progress towards the UK implementation of this Directive and undertaking a public consultation on its proposals for this during the Spring of 2006 before transposing the main provisions of the Directive into UK law.

Wind Farms

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the North Wales tourist industry of the proposal for the development of the Gwynt y Mor wind farm.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government made clear in their Planning Policy Statement 1 Delivering Sustainable Development that they are committed to promoting a strong, stable and productive economy that aims to bring jobs and prosperity for all. This includes recognition of the economic benefits of tourism.
	The Government will also consult statutory advisors such as the Countryside Council for Wales when assessing the proposal for the development of the Gwynt y Mor wind farm.

Wood Panel Industry

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he has commissioned into the effect of the recent increases in wholesale gas prices on the wood panel industry; and if he will meet representatives of the industry to discuss the matter.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has commissioned research to update work on the demand side in the gas market, carried out earlier this year and published on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/pub1ications/policy/index.shtml.
	I, as well as DTI and Ofgem officials, have met numerous industry representatives on several occasions to discuss the impact of gas prices and ways of mitigating this. I have also exchanged correspondence with Mr. Alastair Kerr of the Wood Panel Industries Federation on the subject. I would be happy to meet him and/or his colleagues for further discussion if a mutually convenient time can be arranged.

World Trade Organisation

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of (a) the outcome of the World Trade Organisation summit in Hong Kong and (b) the impact it will have on developing countries.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's statement to Parliament on 20 December.
	There was progress on a number of issues at Hong Kong, which have the potential to benefit developing countries: an end date of 2013 was agreed for export subsidies; other nations signing up to the principle of duty-free quota free access for least developed countries; a commitment to end cotton export subsidies by 2006; new commitments on aid for trade and solid progress on trade facilitation. There is also a road map for concluding the round and delivering a fairer, freer trading environment.

TREASURY

Administrative Costs

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total administration costs for his core Department are; and whether these are regarded as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which functions of his core Department are carried out in (a) England and (b) London; and what administration costs were associated with these functions for each area in the last 12 months.

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which functions of his core Department are carried out in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Wales; and what administration costs were associated with these functions for each area in the last year.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what functions in his Department are carried out in Scotland; and what the administrative costs of these functions were in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The net total administration costs for the core Treasury in 200405 were 81.4 million, and are regarded as non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses. All the functions of the core Treasury are carried out in London.

Administrative Costs

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the administrative costs were of each agency for which he has responsibility in the last year for which figures are available; what the total of such costs was in that year; and whether the costs are regarded for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable.

John Healey: The information requested is available in the relevant departmental Reports and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Civil Service Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in his Department is located in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) will write to the hon. Member with details for the civil service of the percentage of staff in post by region and grade responsibility and the median salary of staff in post by region and grade responsibility as at 1 April 2004. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the real growth rate in UK departmental expenditure has been over the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Total departmental expenditure limits in real terms are provided in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2005 (Cm 6521), Table 1.12.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many (a) personal computers, (b) laptops, (c) servers, (d) printers, (e) scanners, (f) photocopiers and (g) fax machines (i) his Department, (ii) each (A) non-departmental public body, (B) Executive agency and (C) other public body for which his Department is responsible in each English region owned in (1) 200304 and (2) 200405;
	(2)  what the annual expenditure on (a) fixtures and fittings, (b) general office expenses and (c) office equipment was of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) non-departmental public body (B) Executive agency and (C) other public body for which his Department is responsible in each English region in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 200506 in each case;
	(3)  what the expenditure on (a) buildings and (b) insurance of buildings and staff was of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) non-departmental public body, (B) Executive agency and (C) other public body for which his Department is responsible in each English region in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 200506 in each case.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what has been the annual expenditure on vehicles for (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) Executive agency and (iii) other public body for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 200506;
	(2)  what has been the annual expenditure on training and development for (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) Executive agency and (iii) other public body for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 200506;
	(3)  if he will list the former (a) buildings and (b) land of (i) his Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies, (B) agencies and (C) independent statutory bodies for which his Department is responsible which have been sold since 7 May 1997; what the sale price of each (1) was at the time of sale and (2) is at current prices; and whether the money accrued was (x) retained by his Department and (y) returned to the Consolidated Fund.

John Healey: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on bottled water in 200405.

John Healey: Since July 2002 meeting refreshments for the Treasury have been supplied by the PFI contractor, Exchequer Partnerships. Meeting refreshments include teas and coffees, mineral water and biscuits, and it is not possible to identify separately the costs of bottled water.
	Total costs for meeting refreshments in 200405 were 200,344.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

John Healey: The information requested is not held centrally in the Treasury and could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

EU Budget

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will itemise the reductions of the UK rebate from the EU which will occur in each of the years of the new financial perspective 2007 to 2013; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to Annex 2 of the proposal from the UK Presidency on the Financial Perspective 200713 agreed at the European Council on 17 December 2005.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Customs Code Committeecustoms warehouses and free zones, (b) Customs Code Committeecustoms procedures with economic impact, (c) Customs Code Committeecounterfeit and pirated goods and (d) Customs Code committeesingle administrative document have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved government; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There have been two meetings of the Customs Code Committeecustoms warehouses and free zones during the UK presidency. The Commission chairs these meetings. The UK was represented by an official from HM Revenue and Customs.
	There have been two meetings of the Customs Code Committeecustoms procedures with economic impact during the UK presidency. The Commission chairs these meetings. HMRC represented the UK.
	There has been one meeting of the Customs Code Committeecounterfeit and pirated goods during the UK presidency, on 11 July 2005. John Pulford from TAXUD chaired this meeting. HMRC represented the UK.
	There have been four meetings of the Customs Code committeesingle administrative document during the UK presidency:
	23 September
	28 September
	25 October
	1920 December
	All attendees were from HMRC. The Commission chaired all of these meeting.
	Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved governments.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Customs Code Committeeduty-free arrangements, (b) Customs Code Committeetariff and statistical nomenclature, (c) Customs Code Committeetariff quotas and (d) Committee on recovery of claims have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representations ofthe devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There have been no meetings of the Duty Free Arrangements Committee during the UK presidency.
	There have been 10 meetings of the Customs Code Committeetariff and statistical nomenclature division during the UK presidency. A member of the European Commission chaired each meeting and on each occasion the only UK representatives were from HM Revenue and Customs. Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved Governments.
	There has been one meeting of the Customs Code Committeetariff quotas during the UK presidency, HMRC quota experts attended. It was presided over by Patric Wallez of TAXUD Directorate B.
	There has been two meetings of the Committee on recovery of claims during the UK presidency on 13 July and 21 December. The UK was represented by an official from HM Revenue and Customs (HMCE). TAXUD chaired the meeting.
	Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved Governments.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Customs Code Committeemovement of air or sea passengers' baggage (technical problems), (b) Customs Code Committeetransit, (c) Customs Code Committeefavourable tariff treatment (nature of end-use of goods and (d) Customs Code Committeeorigin have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representations of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There has been no meetings of the Customs Code Committeemovement of air or sea passengers' baggage (technical problems) during the UK presidency.
	There have been two meetings of the Customs Code Committeetransit during the UK presidency on 2728 September and 89 November. The UK was represented by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Manuela Cabral chaired the meetings.
	There have been no meetings of the Customs Code Committeefavourable tariff treatment (nature of end-use of goods) during the UK's presidency.
	There have been four meetings of the Customs Code Committee: Origin meetings during the UK presidency. The meetings were presided over by the Head of the Rules of Origin Unit in Directorate C of the European Commission's Directorate General on Taxation and Customs Union. An official from the Europe and World Trade Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry was present at the first meeting in July The meetings are attended by the UK's Customs and DTI Origin experts who are at present located in offices in London and Southend.
	Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved Governments.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on mutual assistance in customs and agricultural matters, including operation of the CIS, (b) Customs Code Committee-general customs rules, (c) Customs Code Committee-recovery of claims and (d) Customs Code Committee-customs valuation have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representations of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The has been one meeting of the Committee on mutual assistance in customs and agricultural matters, including operation of the C.S. during the UK presidency on the 22 November 2005, attended by officials from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). OLAF chaired the meeting.
	There were four meetings of the Customs Code Committee-general customs rules during the UK presidency:
	13 July 2005
	2930 September 2005
	2627 October 2005
	2829 November 2005
	The UK was represented by HM Revenue and Customs (HKRC) and the Commission chaired all of the meetings.
	There has been two meetings of the Customs Code Committee-recovery of claims during the presidency on 13 July 2005 and 21 December 2005, the UK was represented by HMRC at both meetings and the meetings are chaired by TAXUD.
	There was one meeting of the Customs Code Committee-customs valuation during the UK presidency on the 10 October 2005. The UK representative at this meeting was Ian Cremer and colleague. The meeting was chaired by TAXUD.
	Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved Governments.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on the movement of air or sea passengers' baggages (principles), (b) Advisory Committee on value-added tax, (c) Committee on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims and (d) Committee on administrative cooperation in the field of indirect taxation, including Fiscalis programme have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representations of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There has been no meetings of the Customs Code Committee-movement of air or sea passengers' baggage (technical problems)-during the UK presidency.
	During the period of the UK's presidency the Advisory Committee on Value Added Tax met once on 18 November 2005. A European Commission DG TAXUD official chaired the meeting and UK representation was provided by HMRC.
	The have been no meetings of the Committee on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims during the UK's presidency.
	During the period of the UK's presidency the Standing Committee on Administrative Co-operation (SCAC) met on 12 July 2005 and 9 December 2005, its IT sub-Committee (SCIT) met on 20 July 2005 and 25 November 2005, and the Excise Committee on 25 November 2005. There were no meetings of the Fiscalis Committee. The Commission chaired these meetings.
	Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved Governments.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on economic outward-processing arrangements for textiles, (b) Committee on the export of cultural goods, (c) Customs 2002 Committee and (d) Committee for the application of the rules on the manufacture and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representative were present; what provisions were made for representations of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There have been no meetings of the Committee on economic outward-processing arrangements for textiles during the UK presidency.
	There have been no meetings of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Goods (ACCG) during the UK presidency.
	Customs 2002 Committee no longer meets this has been overtaken by Customs 2007.
	One meeting of the European Commission Drug Precursors Advisory Committee took place during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EU. An official from the Home Office led the United Kingdom representation, officials accompanied him from HM Revenue and Customs and the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
	Customs matters are a reserved matter for HMG and are not within the competence of the devolved Governments.

Financial Inclusion Fund

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive state aids clearance from the European Commission to enable the establishment of a growth fund for third sector lenders from within the financial inclusion fund.

James Plaskitt: I have been asked to reply.
	Payments from the Growth Fund will provide a Service of General Economic Interest to people in areas of high financial exclusion. The fund will be paid in accordance with the appropriate rules for operation of a Block Exemption on prior notification to the EU Commission. Procurement arrangements for delivery of the service through third sector financial institutions are in hand. Delivery of the affordable loans service that the fund is to provide will commence during the first half of 2006.

Labour Force/Unemployment Rates

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) labour force and (b) unemployment rate is in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) each of the English regions and (iv) Northern Ireland, broken down by (A) agriculture, (B) fishing, (C) forestry, (D) fish processing, (E) manufacturing, (F) construction, (G) other industry, (H) commerce, (I) Government and public service employees, (J) transport, (K) communications, (L) utilities, (M) tourism, (N) finance and insurance, (O) business, (P) other services and (Q) other types of labour force.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 22 December 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the labour force by country and industry. (39118)
	The attached table provides information showing the number of economically active people by industry, for those unemployed their previous industry has used, covering regions and countries of the UK. The table covers the three months period ending in August 2005.
	These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		People economically active(51) and unemployment rates(52) by industry division, 3 months ending August 2005United Kingdom
		
			  Total North East North West Merseyside Yorkshire and Humberside East Midlands West Midlands 
		
		
			 Economically active (thousand)   
			 Total(53) 29,848 1,178 2,668 628 2,455 2,165 2,595 
			 of which:
			 in employment 28,397 1,096 2,545 593 2,339 2,063 2,472 
			 unemployed 1,451 81 124 34 116 102 124 
			 A. Agriculture hunting and forestry 391 9 18 2 32 39 28 
			 B. Fishing 12 (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 C. Mining quarrying 109 4 2 (55) 5 9 3 
			 D. Manufacturing 3,913 153 392 80 392 379 464 
			 E. Electricity, gas and water supply 14 14 2 14 14 18 14 
			 F. Construction 2,334 103 206 44 216 163 201 
			 G. Wholesale retail and motor trade 4,534 189 446 89 375 372 397 
			 H. Hotels and restaurants 1,294 43 124 24 102 86 96 
			 I. Transport storage and communication 2,028 78 191 38 160 162 186 
			 J. Financial intermediation 1,248 27 83 25 96 44 90 
			 K. Real estate renting and business activ. 3.326 106 269 63 214 210 246 
			 L. Public administration and defence 2,023 105 171 54 148 110 147 
			 M. educ 2,578 93 240 60 224 182 231 
			 N. Health and social work 3,588 162 321 99 306 244 315 
			 O. Other community social and personal 1,616 60 135 30 119 108 117 
			 P. Private households with employed person 131 2 9 1 10 9 5 
			 Q. Extra-territorial organisations bodies 12 (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 Unemployment rate (per cent.) 
			 Total(54) 4.9 6.9 4.6 5.5 4.7 4.7 4.8 
			 A. Agriculture hunting and forestry 3.2 (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 6.2 
			 B. Fishing (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 C. Mining quarrying 1.7 (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 D. Manufacturing 4.6 7.0 4.0 3.9 4.8 5.1 4.9 
			 E. Electricity gas and water supply 2.7 (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 F. Construction 3.1 3.0 2.9 (55) 2.9 2.3 1.7 
			 G. Wholesale retail and motor trade 4.1 6.0 3.2 5.8 4.5 4.1 3.7 
			 H. Hotels and restaurants 7.3 12.5 7.2 13.4 5.8 9.3 5.0 
			 I. Transport storage and communication 3.2 5.5 4.0 5.5 4.6 3.2 4.2 
			 J. Financial intermediation 2.5 7.9 (55) (55) 4.1 5.0 3.0 
			 K. Real estate renting and business activ. 3.0 6.4 2.6 2.7 2.3 2.6 4.0 
			 L. Public administration 1.7 3.2 1.8 (55) 1.4 2.3 2.5 
			 M. educ. 2.1 2.7 1.6 (55) 2.3 1.1 1.2 
			 N. Health and social work 2.0 2.5 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.2 
			 O. Other community social and personal 3.3 3.4 3.0 (55) 2.1 3.6 1.9 
			 P. Private households with employed person 2.6 (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 Q. Extra-territorial organisations bodies (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
		
	
	
		
			  Eastern London South-east South-west Wales Scotland Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 Economically active (thousand)  
			 Total(53) 2,837 3,725 4,297 2,553 1,375 2,578 795 
			 of which:
			 in employment 2,722 3,473 4,133 2,456 1,311 2.438 757 
			 unemployed 115 252 163 96 65 140 38 
			 A. Agriculture hunting and forestry 41 11 66 44 29 39 34 
			 B. Fishing (55) (55) 1 2 (55) 6 1 
			 C. Mining quarrying 6 2 8 11 5 51 3 
			 D. Manufacturing 352 265 515 332 199 285 105 
			 E. Electricity, gas and water supply 14 9 22 17 9 20 2 
			 F. Construction 237 240 322 205 103 214 81 
			 G. Wholesale retail and motor trade 445 475 650 404 202 375 115 
			 H. Hotels and restaurants 111 178 168 124 78 129 31 
			 I. Transport storage and communication 209 274 303 138 78 170 41 
			 J. Financial intermediation 140 263 201 94 40 127 19 
			 K. Real estate renting and business activ. 347 662 599 248 105 205 54 
			 L. Public administration and defence 177 265 265 199 102 187 93 
			 M. educ 251 299 374 216 129 223 57 
			 N. Healthand social work 311 382 465 326 199 347 110 
			 O. Other community social and personal 134 264 256 142 73 146 33 
			 P. Private household with employed person 17 19 28 18 6 7 (55) 
			 Q. Extra-territorial organisations bodies 3 4 (55) 2 (55) 2 (55) 
			 Unemployment rate (per cent.)  
			 Total(54) 4.1 6.8 3.8 3.8 4.7 5.4 4.8 
			 A. Agriculture hunting and forestry 6.3 (55) (55) (55) (55) 5.9 3.4 
			 B. Fishing (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 C. Mining quarrying (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 D. Manufacturing 3.0 5.8 3.4 3.7 5.2 6.4 5.6 
			 E. Electricity gas and water supply (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 F. Construction 3.7 5.0 2.8 3.5 2.5 3.6 4.7 
			 G. Wholesale retail and motor trade 2.4 6.5 3.5 2.8 3.7 6.0 3.5 
			 H. Hotels and restaurants 8.8 9.1 7.2 4.9 7.0 6.2 3.2 
			 I. Transport storage and communication 1.6 4.3 2.9 5.1 3.8 3.1 6.6 
			 J. Financial intermediation 1.3 2.6 2.8 (55) 3.4 1.8 (55) 
			 K. Real estate renting and business activ. 2.8 3.7 2.3 2.6 2.7 3.4 3.5 
			 L. Public administration 0.8 1.8 1.4 1.0 2.1 2.0 1.3 
			 M. educ. 2.3 3.7 1.5 2.2 3.5 1.2 1.9 
			 N. Health and social work 2.4 2.3 1.9 1.8 2.0 2.6 1.1 
			 O. Other community social and personal 3.2 4.3 2.7 3.0 3.9 4.6 (55) 
			 P. Private households with employed person (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
			 Q. Extra-territorial organisations bodies (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) (55) 
		
	
	(51) Economically active is the sum of people in employment by their current industry and those unemployed by their previous industry
	(52) Unemployment rate is the number of unemployed people by their previous industry as a percentage of those economically active.
	(53) Includes those who did not state their industry.
	(54) Includes those who did not state their previous industry.
	(55) Figures not shown as it is based on small sample size, and subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	Source :
	ONS Labour Force Survey

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list private finance initiative projects signed since 1 January, broken down by Department; who the commissioning body is in each case; and what the (a) location, (b) capital value and (c) date of the financial close is in each case.

John Healey: A list of signed PFI projects is published on the HM Treasury website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm). The list is updated annually, and the next update is scheduled to take place during January 2006.
	The PFI project list can be disaggregated according to Department, and it also sets out the procuring authority, location, capital value and date of financial close for each signed PFI project. The updated PFI project list will include all PFI projects that had reached financial close by September 2005the date of the last HM Treasury PFI data collection.

Public Works Loan Board

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money is on loan from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB), broken down by country or region of the United Kingdom; and how much money is available for lending from the PWLB.

John Healey: The 130th Annual Report of the Public Works Loan Board, laid before Parliament on 20 July 2005, notes that at 31 March 2005 the following principal was outstanding:
	
		
			 Country  million 
		
		
			 England 32,222.9 
			 Scotland 6,750.4 
			 Wales 3,096.6 
			 Total 42,069.9 
		
	
	The Public Works Loan Board does not lend to Northern Ireland authorities.
	The maximum amount of outstanding loans, at any one time, from the Public Works Loan Board should not currently exceed 55,000 million.

Research and Development Tax Credits

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have been convicted of research and development tax credit fraud in each year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Since the introduction of the research and development tax credit in April 2000, no companies have been convicted of research and development tax credit fraud.

Research and Development Tax Credits

Robert Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in Scotland have successfully applied for the research and development tax credit in each year since it was introduced.

John Healey: The information requested for Scotland is not available.
	Information on the total number of companies that have claimed research and development tax credit data under the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) scheme is published on the HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/randdtcmenu.

Voter Registration

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population of 18 to 24 year-olds are registered to vote broken down by constituency.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 22 December 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the percentage of the population aged 18 to 24 who are registered to vote. (39160)
	Only very limited age information is collected on electoral returns. Information is collected and collated on the number of attainers, i.e. those aged 16 and 17 who will be entitled to vote when they reach 18. Information is also collected on the elderly (because of exemption from jury duty), though these data are not collated centrally.

Voter Registration

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population is registered to vote in each ward in the Tees Valley, broken down by constituency.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 22 December 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning what percentage of the population is registered to vote in each Ward in Tees Valley. (39171)
	I am placing a table giving the requested information in the House of Commons Library.
	The estimated percentages vary considerable between wards. They are calculated by taking ward electorate counts for December 2002 parliamentary electors as a percentage of population estimates for Census Area Statistics (CAS) wards. There are a number of limitations with the data that means that some care should be taken with interpretation of the results. See also the footnotes.
	The CAS wards are the closest available geography to electoral wards, for which population estimates are available. They were created for outputs from the 2001 Census and are based mainly on 2003 electoral wards. It is necessary to convert electorate counts to the CAS ward geography and therefore the electorate counts in the table are not necessarily consistent with data published elsewhere. The latest available population data available at ward level is for mid-2002, published in April 2005. The ward electorate counts are for December 2002 parliamentary electors, including attainers. No adjustment has been made to reflect the difference between these two timepoints.
	There are a number of wards that are split by parliamentary constituency i.e. they fall within two or more parliamentary constituencies. These are shown by an asterisk * alongside their ward name, and appear under both constituencies (except where the split is not in Tees Valley). Electorate and population figures for the whole ward are shown. Some wards will therefore be double counted. It is not possible to split the data for these wards.
	There is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. In addition, people can register in more than one place.
	There are a relatively small number of wards (2) where the electorate counts are more than 10 per cent. greater than the population estimate.
	The majority of such cases are likely to be attributable to a limitation in the methodology used to convert electorate counts to a CAS ward geography, though the other limitations set out will also have an affect.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Administration Costs

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which functions of his core Department are carried out in (a) England and (b) London; and what administration costs were associated with these functions for each area in the last year.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office Core Department has only one location in England that carries out functions for the Department. This is in London.
	The functions and administrative costs for 200405 for functions carried out in London were as follows:
	
		
			 Function Total administrative cost 200405 () 
		
		
			 Private Offices (London)  
			 Total 626,893 
			 Secretary of State, Minister of State and Support Staff (London) 626,893 
			   
			 Political Directorate (London Offices)  
			 Total 539,009 
			 Political Director, Associate Political Director and Support Staff 539,009 
			   
			 Rights and International Relations Division (RIR)  
			 Total 1,156,583 
			 Head of Division and Support Staff (RIR) 124,533 
			 Elections Unit 223,934 
			 Human Rights and Equality 327,485 
			 Political Planning 128,587 
			 International Relations 299,602 
			 Security and Extradition 52,442 
			   
			 Devolution and Legislation Division (DLD)  
			 Total 808,491 
			 Head of Division and Support Staff (DLD) 211,701 
			 Political Development 202,418 
			 Legislation 264,176 
			 NI Administration (Relations with Devolved NI Government) 100,821 
			 DLD Support 29,375 
			   
			 Office Services Division (London)  
			 Total 1,830,441

Ambulance Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to move the non-emergency Northern Ireland Ambulance Service control centre at Altnagelvin hospital to another site.

Shaun Woodward: There are no plans to move the non-emergency Northern Ireland Ambulance Service control centre at Altnagelvin hospital to another site.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 2091W, on bovine tuberculosis, what role culling of badgers has played in the control strategy; and how many badgers have been despatched in each year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The existing control programme in Northern Ireland in relation to bovine tuberculosis is based on measures to limit cattle-to-cattle transmission of the disease. The culling of badgers does not play a role in the existing control programme and no badgers have been despatched.

Bullying

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on anti-bullying initiatives in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary and grammar schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness.

Angela Smith: Anti-bullying became a separate area of work for the Department of Education in 200001 with the commissioning of the research into the scale and nature of bullying in schools. The following table details specific expenditure by the Department of Education for the last five years and planned expenditure in 200506. The heading 'All schools/pupils' covers expenditure which cannot be ascribed to a particular sector.
	
		
		
			  Primary schools Post primary schools All schools/pupils Total 
		
		
			 200001 15,000 15,000 60,000 90,000 
			 200102 17,500 30,000 3,000 50,500 
			 200203 18,000 23,000 1,000 42,000 
			 200304 10,000 10,000 5,000 25,000 
			 200405   8,000 8,000 
			 200506(56)   80,000 80,000 
		
	
	(56) Planned
	Expenditure covered research, the production of materials for schools, an information leaflet for parents and a pilot programme of peer mediation in 10 schools. All of this work was pursued in partnership with the education and library boards and voluntary sector organisations with a keen interest in tackling bullying. Feedback on the materials has been positive. The peer mediation pilot was evaluated by ETI and while found to be beneficial could not be sustained by schools without sustained external support.
	The Department does not have information about the resources which schools devote to anti-bullying initiatives from their own budgets. Across the education and library boards at least 200,000 per annum is allocated to specific anti-bullying activity.

Bullying

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in Northern Ireland have been absent from school through sickness as a result of bullying in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education does not collect the requested information from schools. Basic statistical information about attendance is collected and from this the Department can determine levels of overall absence. Following recommendations contained in a Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report, 'Improving Pupil Attendance at School' published in November 2004, the Department is currently in the process of putting in place arrangements for gathering more detailed statistical information on pupil absences from 200607 school year. While information about the type of absence will be collected, including illness, it will not provide details on the type or reason for illness.

Child Protection

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the Northern Ireland draft budget will be allocated to child protection services in 200608; and what his funding priorities are in this area.

Shaun Woodward: Children and families remain a priority for Government. The budget for Health and Personal Social Services includes an additional 2 million in 200607 and 200708 set aside to support statutory requirements in respect of child protection. This money will be made available subject to agreement between the boards and the Department on the purposes for which it will be used and the specific outcomes to be achieved.
	DHSSPS is committed to improving core children's services and this was reflected in the Budget 200608 settlement. As a result of the Budget we are able to invest:
	an additional 2 million from 200607 in children's residential Care, opening new facilities and improving existing facilities,
	an additional 4 million/2 million in foster care;
	an additional 0.5 million/0.5 million for children leaving care.

Child Protection

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been allocated for child protection arrangements in the Province over the next three years.

Shaun Woodward: Children and families remain a priority for Government. The budget for Health and Personal Social Services includes an additional 2 million in 200607 and 200708 set aside to support statutory requirements in respect of child protection. This money will be made available subject to agreement between the boards and the Department on the purposes for which it will be used and the specific outcomes to be achieved.
	Expenditure planning figures for 200809 will be arrived at as a result of the national 2007 spending review.

Child Support Agency

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time staff are employed by the Child Support Agency in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: As at 20 December 2005 there are 1,578 full-time staff employed by the Child Support Agency in Northern Ireland.

Child Support Agency

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2005, Official Report, columns 124748W, on the Child Support Agency, what the problems are with the new system; what steps have been taken to solve them; and how effective these measures have been.

David Hanson: The agency recognises that there are ongoing problems with the service it delivers to its customers via the new Child Support computer system. I am, however, continuing to work closely with our colleagues in Great Britain and the system provider, EDS, to resolve the remaining functionality defects with the new system. In addition to the functionality problems there were issues with technical stability, which have now been addressed.
	A forward programme of enhancements has been agreed with the system provider. This will resolve all current defects and provide the specification that will enable the conversion of old scheme cases onto the new scheme. The terms of the recent commercial settlement with EDS means that the enhancements will be completed without further cost. A proportion of payments due to the provider are however being retained, conditional upon timely completion of the programme of work to the required standards.
	Governance arrangements are also in place to assess the performance of EDS against acceptance criteria and ensure the satisfactory delivery of all system improvements.
	Monitoring has identified that recent technical enhancements to the system have improved performance against agreed service standards. Monitoring will continue as the programme is implemented. When Ministers are satisfied that the new system and arrangements are working well, a decision to convert all old scheme cases to the new system will be taken.

Churches/Orange Halls (Attacks)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many places of worship have come under attack in each of the last 10 years, broken down by denomination.

Shaun Woodward: The following table from PSNI records details the number of attacks on church property over the last 10 years correct to 30 June 2005.
	
		
			  Number of attacks on church property 
		
		
			 1995 52 
			 1996 52 
			 1997 41 
			 1998 42 
			 1999 15 
			 2000 31 
			 2001 30 
			 2002 35 
			 2003 59 
			 2004 32 
			 2005(57) 36 
		
	
	(57) To 30 June
	Notes:
	1. 2005 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.
	2. Includes incidents such as stones thrown, petrol bombs thrown, shots fired, malicious fires, etc.
	3. PSNI does not record the denomination of the place of worship.

Churches/Orange Halls (Attacks)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Orange Halls have come under attack in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: The following table from PSNI records details the number of attacks on Orange Halls / Apprentice Boys Halls over the last 10 years correct to 30 June 2005.
	
		
			  Number of attacks on Orange Halls / Apprentice Boys Halls 
		
		
			 1995 42 
			 1996 38 
			 1997 41 
			 1998 29 
			 1999 26 
			 2000 26 
			 2001 16 
			 2002 4 
			 2003 19 
			 2004 6 
			 2005(58) 8 
		
	
	(58) To 30 June.
	Note:
	1. 2005 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.
	2. Includes incidents such as stones thrown, petrol bombs thrown, shots fired, malicious fires, etc.

Classroom Assistants

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many classroom assistants in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in Northern Ireland are (i) male and (ii) female;
	(2)  how many classroom assistants in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in Northern Ireland are employed on (i) permanent contracts and (ii) temporary contracts.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not readily available in my Department. Classroom Assistants working in the controlled and in the maintained sectors are employed by the Education and Library Boards (ELBs) and those working in the Voluntary Grammar School (VGS) and in the Grant Maintained Integrated (GMI) sectors are employed by the individual school Board of Governors. My Department has written to the respective employers seeking the information required and will write to the hon. Gentleman when the information is available.

Colin Worton

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received regarding the case of Colin Worton; what representations he has received on extending the right tocompensation for wrongful imprisonment to includepeople held on remand; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: I have received a number of representations about compensation arrangements and about the case of Colin Worton, including a recent letter from the hon. Gentleman. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has recently written to Mr. Worton, and to those who have made representations on his behalf, advising him of the decision in his case. Those who have spent time on remand in custody as a result of a wrongful charge or conviction may be entitled to compensation under section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 or under existing ex-gratia arrangements.

Common Fisheries Policy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what penalties were imposed on fishermen from Northern Ireland for infringement of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004; what infringements were involved according to the codes used by the European Commission; how many cases were discovered, broken down by type of infringement; what the average fine was, broken down by type of infringement; how many seizures there were, broken down by type of infringement and how much was paid by the fishery industry in Northern Ireland as a consequence of serious infringements.

Angela Smith: Infringements by the Northern Ireland fishing fleet within British Fishery Limits of the Irish Sea are detected by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, The Scottish Fishery Protection Agency, and the Royal Navy operating under contract to the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
	Penalties are not administered by Departments, but are imposed by court after conviction. A number of cases from the period are unresolved at this stage; infringements by Northern Ireland vessels which have been prosecuted and have had penalties imposed are included below:
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Number of penalties 7 nil nil 
			 Type of penalty Court fines   
			 Infringement codes D1, E1, Fl   
			 How many by type 2 x Dl, 1 x El, 1 x Fl   
			 Average fine by type Dl 1,500   
			  El 5,000   
			  Fl 1,000   
			 Number of seizures nil   
			 Cost of infringements 9,000

Commonwealth Games

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what support and preparation is being offered by the Government to athletes from Northern Ireland for the Commonwealth games.

David Hanson: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of public funding to individual sports. SCNI is presently operating a Lottery-based Athlete Support Programme, through which it has already made available a total of 477,580 to assist athletes wishing to participate in the next Commonwealth games.

Community Restorative Justice (Sex Abuse)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many allegations of sex abuse were received by the police from community restorative justice (CRJ) organisations in 2000; and how many involved members of CRJ organisations.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Constable has advised me that the PSNI does not keep specific records on the category of person reporting a crime.
	To obtain the information requested would require a manual trawl of all police records and could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Community Restorative Justice (Sex Abuse)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many allegations of sex abuse were passed by community restorative justice (CRJ) organisations to social services in 2000; how many involved members of CRJ organisations; and how many in each case were referred to the police.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the form requested. Recordable data on abuse cases identifies individuals making allegations to social services, but not necessarily any organisation with which they may be associated.

Coolkeeragh Power Station

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) total running hours against anticipated hours and (b) earnings in system value arrangements were over the last six months for Coolkeeragh power station.

Angela Smith: Coolkeeragh power station ran for approximately 3,900 hours against an anticipated 4,200 hours over the six month period June to November 2005.
	The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is precluded, by virtue of Article 63(1) of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (No. 419, N.I. 6), from disclosing information in relation to the system value agreement between Coolkeeragh ESB Ltd. (the owner of Coolkeeragh power station) and SONI Ltd. (the transmission system operator in Northern Ireland) without the consent of both parties. It has not been possible to secure this.

Craigavon Area Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is collected on the (a) number of patients waiting and (b) duration of waiting times in the Accident and Emergency Department at Craigavon Area Hospital.

Shaun Woodward: Information is collected locally by Craigavon Area Hospital on patients who present at the Accident and Emergency Department, using the Northern Ireland Regional Accident and Emergency System. The table given shows the total number of patients who were waiting in the Accident and Emergency Department of Craigavon Area Hospital during the month of November 2005 by waiting time band (time waiting from arrival at A and E to departure).
	
		Patients waiting in Craigavon area hospital Accident and Emergency Department by waiting time bandNovember 2005
		
			 Time waiting from arrival in A and E to departure Number of patients in A and E waiting 
		
		
			 Less than 1 hour 1,701 
			 1 hour to less than 2 hours 2,061 
			 2 hours to less than 3 hours 1,320 
			 3 hours to less than 4 hours 745 
			 4 hours to less than 5 hours 386 
			 5 hours to less than 6 hours 153 
			 6 hours or more 192 
			 November 2005 total 6,558 
		
	
	Source:
	Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust

Denis Donaldson

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland what relationship there was between Denis Donaldson and (a) the Security and Intelligence Services in Northern Ireland and (b) the RUC/Police Service Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: It is longstanding Government policy not to comment on intelligence matters.

Dentistry

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to tackle dental decay in children in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Oral Health Strategy published by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in September 2004 sets out a range of targets and recommendations for improving the levels of dental decay experienced by our child population. The strategy aims to:
	improve the oral health of the Northern Ireland population;
	reduce the inequalities in oral health in our society.
	Within this strategy it is emphasised that much of the dental disease burden is related to lifestyle and socio-economic factors and shares common risk factors with other diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
	More specifically, in the past year all community trusts have introduced an evidence-based caries reduction programme in pre-school children. This has been complemented by additional funding of 100,000 per year for evidence-based caries reduction programmes for under 6-year-old children in the 20 per cent. most deprived wards in Northern Ireland. In addition, a targeted preventive fissure sealant scheme was introduced into the General Dental Services in April 2005.
	More generally, all boards and trusts have in place a range of healthy eating schemes which aim to reduce the amount of sugary foods and drinks consumed by children. Many of these schemes involve intersectoral working with the education sector with school-based diet programmes such as Fresh Fruit in Schools, Safe Snack Award and Boost Better Breaks.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department were (a) civil servants, (b) contractors and (c) other staff in each year since 1997.

Shaun Woodward: (a) The following figures exclude secondments, career breaks, temporary staff and Electoral Office staff.
	
		
			  Northern Ireland civil service Home civil service Northern Ireland prison service Total 
		
		
			 2005 1,340 170 410 1,920 
			 2004 1,250 180 410 1,840 
			 2003 1,140 190 420 1,750 
			 2002 1,100 180 440 1,720 
			 2001 1,070 190 430 1,690 
			 2000 1,010 200 410 1,620 
			 1999 1,000 230 400 1,630 
			 1998 1,010 200 400 1,610 
			 1997 990 200 390 1,580 
		
	
	(b) It is not possible to identify the number of contractors/consultants. This could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	(c) The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Northern Ireland civil service (agency/temp staff) Home civil service (agency/temp staff) Northern Ireland prison service (agency/temp staff) Total 
		
		
			 2005 60 0 10 70 
			 2004 40 0 20 60 
			 2003 60 0 20 80 
			 2002 40 0 10 50 
			 2001 20 0 10 30 
			 2000 20 0 20 40 
			 1999 30 0 20 50 
			 1998 40 0 10 50 
			 1997 30 0 10 40

Domestic Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment the Government have made of the average Effective Tax Rate to be charged on each property under the new discrete capital values system of domestic rates.

Angela Smith: It is not possible to determine the average Effective Tax Rate (ETR) for each domestic property at this stage until the outcome of the revaluation process, currently being carried out by the Valuation and Lands Agency, is complete. This is due to be finalised sometime in spring 2006. The Department, however, has carried out some analysis based on preliminary data which suggests a rate substantially lower than the 0.79 per cent. indicated by the University of Ulster study over two years ago, which was based on 1999 capital value estimates. The preliminary estimates are insufficiently reliable at this point in time given the current unavailability of valuation data but the Government does intend to provide an estimate of the ETR to coincide with the publication of the new values in 2006 to allow individual ratepayers to gauge their 200708 liability following the revaluation.

Drinking By-laws

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the Police Service of Northern Ireland has brought cases regarding the breach of drinking by-laws to Castlereagh borough council in each year since November 2001.

Shaun Woodward: Records held by Castlereagh District Command Unit indicate the following:
	
		
			  Number of referrals to Castlereagh borough council 
		
		
			 2001 2 
			 2002 3 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 3 
			 2005 12

Drugs Seizures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many drug seizures have been made in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and what their total estimated worth was.

Shaun Woodward: Data relating to the number of drug seizures by police together with the street value of drugs seized are only available from 199899 and are contained in table 1 as follows.
	Similarly I am unable to supply data on the number and value of drug seizures that have been made by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, prior to 1999 as to do so would require a substantial manual exercise and would incur a disproportionate cost.
	Data for the number of drug finds in prison establishments prior to January 2003 were not collated centrally and are not available. The value of drugs seized within Northern Ireland Prison establishments is not calculated.
	
		Table 1: Number of seizures of class A, B and C drugs by Police Service of Northern Ireland199899 to 200405 and value of drugs seized
		
			  Number of drug seizures Total estimated street value () 
		
		
			 199899 1,588 7,043,168 
			 19992000 2,058 11,425,982 
			 200001 1,750 9,994,769 
			 200102 1,533 6,559,700 
			 200203 1,781 11,082,910 
			 200304 2,347 15,108,410 
			 200405 2,402 9,507,689 
			 1 April-30 November 2005 1,803 5,835,120 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Number of seizures of class A, B and C drugs by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs19992000 to 200405 and value of drugs seized
		
			  Number of drug seizures Total estimated street value () 
		
		
			 19992000 1 n/a 
			 200001 2 744 
			 200102 8 13,137 
			 200203 13 343,254 
			 200304 15 76,046 
			 200405 13 57,440 
		
	
	n/a = not available
	
		Table 3: Number of seizures of class A, B and C drugs by Northern Ireland Prison Service 200305
		
			  Number of drug seizures 
		
		
			 2003 371 
			 2004 355 
			 1 January-31 October 2005 317

Education (Rural Areas)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to improve early years education and after-school activities in rural areas.

Angela Smith: Regarding early years education, in the current school year there are approximately 21,000 funded pre-school places, which provide for 93 per cent. of all children in their final pre-school year. It remains the Government's priority to provide age appropriate and high quality provision for all children in Northern Ireland including those in rural areas whose parents wish them to avail of a free pre-school education place.
	The Children and Young People's funding package announced on 14 December 2005 includes an element for after-school activities. Final details have yet to be worked through but will take account of the needs of rural areas.

Education (Rural Areas)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been allocated to ensuring those in rural areas can access (a) early years provision and (b) after-school activities in each of the next three months.

Angela Smith: A profile of funding for each of the next three months is not available in the format requested. Funding of 23,243,426 was allocated in respect of the 200506 financial year for statutory nursery schools funded under the common funding formula, and for funded places in the voluntary sector and these take account of the needs of those in rural areas.
	DE does not fund after-school activities direct though some schools are providing activities beyond the school day and meeting the costs from within their delegated budget, from charges to pupils or parents, or through funding received from grant making organisations.
	The Children's and Young People's Funding package, which was announced on 25 October 2005, includes an element for the promotion of extended schools, including after school activities and I would expect that rural areas will qualify for a proportion of the funds available.

Education (Rural Areas)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to improve after-school activities for schoolchildren in Dungannon and South Tyrone.

Angela Smith: There are currently no plans specific to Dungannon and South Tyrone. However, the Children and Young People's Funding Package which I announced on 14 December includes an element for the promotion of extended schools, including after school activities. Final details will be announced in the new year and will take account of the needs of rural areas

Electoral Fraud

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many successful prosecutions were made against those involved in electoral fraud in Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years.

David Hanson: There have been no successful prosecutions with regard to electoral fraud in Northern Ireland since September 2000. The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland holds no record of any prosecutions in the period 19952000.

Equality Commission

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Equality Commission in connection with the composition of the Commission's work force as contained in the Monitoring Report No. 15: A profile of the Northern Ireland work force.

Angela Smith: Ministers have had a number of discussions with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland about a range of issues, including the composition of its work force and have noted that the Commission has an affirmative action programme in place to address existing imbalances.

External Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii) graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project.

Peter Hain: The information requested is as follows.
	
		
			 Project () 
		
		
			 Design and production of new logos  
			 200001  
			 Total expenditure: 200101  
			   
			 200102  
			 Design of causeway logo 1,135.00 
			 Total expenditure: 200102 1,135.00 
			   
			 200203  
			 Design of causeway logo 2,871.00 
			 Establishment of public prosecution service (PPS) corporate identity logo 2,861.12 
			 Infologcommunity safety publications 258.50 
			 'Community Safety Matters' magazine 50,759.37 
			 Community safety improvement and development agency 80.00 
			 'Two Tens' communication 20.00 
			 Form design 724.00 
			 Total expenditure: 200203 57,573.99 
			   
			 200304  
			 Establishment of PPS corporate identity/logo 2,079.76 
			 Community safety promotions 572.59 
			 'Stay Safe Stay Secure' campaign 677.04 
			 'Domestic Violence' campaign 1,527.51 
			 Community safety challenge competition 1,014.31 
			 Total expenditure: 200304 5,871.21 
			   
			 200405  
			 Form design 4,244.00 
			 Total expenditure: 200405 4,244.00 
			   
			 Employing external public relations  
			 200001  
			 Six steps to beat burglar campaign 3,991.87 
			 Total expenditure: 200001 3,991.87 
			   
			 200102  
			 Small business security grants scheme 13,014.46 
			 'Going on Holiday' campaign 7,918.17 
			 Six steps to beat burglar campaign 1,951.28 
			 Total expenditure: 200102 22,883.91 
			   
			 200203  
			 Small business security grants scheme 821.33 
			 'Be Safe Be Secure' campaign 4,055.86 
			 Crime reduction public information campaign 816.19 
			 Establishment and operation of the youth justice agency 7,126.13 
			 Total expenditure: 200203 12,819.51 
			   
			 200304  
			 CCTV challenge competition 9,760.00 
			 Small business security grants scheme 22,858.00 
			 South Belfast burglary survey 7,000.00 
			 Crime reduction public information campaign feasibility study 17,085.00 
			 'Stay Safe Stay Secure' campaign 43,774.85 
			 Lock out crime pilot scheme 3,567.13 
			 Establishment and operation of the youth justice agency 54,346.83 
			 Total expenditure: 200304 158,391.81 
			   
			 200405  
			 Youth justice agency (YJA)launch of Antrim project, Omagh project, youth conference service project in Strabane. Invites to those invited to attend. Retainer fee for production of annual report, business plan and policies and consultancy work. Letterheads/ compliment slips used on a daily basis. 16,991.39 
			 Handy van scheme feasibility study 4,340.00 
			 Lock out crime pilot scheme 11,004.00 
			 'Stay Safe Stay Secure' campaign 1,168.20 
			 Unknown caller leaflet 1,451.75 
			 Drug related harm conference handbook 138.50 
			 Theft form vehicles campaign 41,344.34 
			 Total expenditure: 200405 76,438.18 
			   
			 Employing external graphic design agencies  
			 200001  
			 Design and artwork for information services 514.65 
			 Development of forensic science website 3,340.00 
			 Design and production of forensic contamination packs 930.07 
			 Design and production of covers for forensic science NI service level agreements, corporate plan and business plans 3,675.57 
			 Roscor plaque 146.00 
			 'Are you a victim' leaflet 2,425.00 
			 Code of practice for victims of crime 1,128.13 
			 Car checklist 6,768.00 
			 Total expenditure: 200001 18,927.42 
			   
			 200102  
			 Code of practice for victims of crime 2,364.00 
			 Victims information leaflet 317.25 
			 Creeper burglar leaflets 4,174.05 
			 Small business security grants scheme 1,932.63 
			 Total expenditure: 200102 8,787.93 
			   
			 200203  
			 Information servicesgraphic design and design and artwork 4,756.41 
			 Code of practice for victims of crime 7,760.00 
			 Victims leaflet 2,660.00 
			 Criminal justice service NI (CJSNI) website 13,160.00 
			 Public information and education strategy 924.00 
			 State pathologist's department consultation document 'The Way Forward' 774.34 
			 Total expenditure: 200203 30,034.75 
			   
			 200304  
			 Launch of YJA, production of annual report, business plan and policies 21,841.67 
			 Information services design and artwork 6,480.34 
			 Signage for new public prosecution service HQ building 74.03 
			 Building for future information briefing for PPS 9,215.49 
			 Official opening of new PPS HQ 2,990.38 
			 Schools poster competition 750.00 
			 Community safety strategy document 23,106.38 
			 'Community Safety Matters' 28,367.54 
			 CJSNI conference 33,400.52 
			 Criminal justice booklets 2,291.25 
			 Analysis of'The Way Forward' consultation document 475.87 
			 Post mortem leaflet 861.28 
			 Total expenditure:200304 129,854.75 
			   
			 200405  
			 YJAlaunch of Antrim project, Omagh project, launch of youth conference service in Strabane. Invitations to those invited to attend launches. Letterheads/ compliment slips for use on a daily basis. Production of annual report, business plan and policies that agency produces. 67,687.06 
			 Graphic design and NIO corporate house style 43,180.78 
			 Information services graphic design and artwork 17,434.85 
			 Building for the futurethe PPS's Fermanagh and Tyrone pilot 6,541.28 
			 CCTV expression of interest form 267.00 
			 Schools poster competition 285.00 
			 Community safety week 2,537,166.95 
			 CJSNI website 8,000.00 
			 Public information and education strategy 2,677.00 
			 CJSNI annual report 11,267.00 
			 Committal consultation paper 3,061.00 
			 Criminal justice management framework 1,372.41 
			 Total expenditure: 200405 2,698,940.33 
		
	
	It is not possible for the NI prison service to separate these costs and to do so would incur disproportionate costs. They have been able to provide the accumulative totals as follows.
	
		Northern Ireland prison service
		
			  
			 Period Total spend on design and production of new logos Total spend on employing external public relations Total spend on employing external graphic design agencies 
		
		
			 200001   34,937.21 
			 200102   3,420.00 
			 200203   2,142.53 
			 200304   180,225.93 
			 200405   153,220.33

Fertility Treatments

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are in place in Northern Ireland for national health service inter-uterine insemination treatment; what funding has been allocated for such treatment in the 200506 financial year; and what recent changes there have been in the availability of such treatment.

Shaun Woodward: Inter-uterine insemination is an assisted reproduction treatment that does not require to be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Health and Social Services Boards have, therefore, greater choice in commissioning this treatment. At present the eastern and northern boards commission treatment for their patients from the Regional Fertility Centre (RFC) in Belfast while patients from the southern board area are treated at Craigavon Area Hospital. The western board commissions a limited number of treatments from the RFC while the remainder are provided at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
	The Department currently allocates annual funding of 1.4 million to the Regional Fertility Centre for the provision of fertility services across the four board areas, including the provision of inter-uterine insemination treatments provided by the RFC.
	The Department is not aware of any recent changes regarding the availability of this treatment.

GP Funding

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been allocated over the next three years to (a) develop general practitioners with specialist interests and (b) provide for the accreditation of such doctors.

Shaun Woodward: No formal extra central funding has been allocated over the next three years to develop general practitioners with specialist interests but Health and Social Services Boards do fund a small number of general practitioners for providing certain specialised services although the overall amount is not readily available. Accreditation of GPs carrying out this specialist work would be the responsibility of the individual Board.

Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients within each health trust area in the Province have (a) received, (b) accepted and (c) declined second offers for treatment.

Shaun Woodward: In July I announced a major programme of reform to address Northern Ireland's unacceptable waiting times. By March 2006, I would expect no-one to be waiting more than 12 months for in-patient or day case treatment with shorter waiting times for cardiac surgery (six months), cataracts (six months), and major joint replacement (nine months). An alternative offer scheme has been set up to guarantee patients an offer of treatment within these time scales and I have established the Northern Ireland Patient Offer Centre to facilitate this scheme.
	The number of patients who have been offered transfers under the auspices of the Northern Ireland Patient Offer Centre are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Trust Offers received Offers accepted Offers declined 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 24 23 1 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 43 30 13 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 32 21 11 
			 Total 99 74 25 
		
	
	Source:
	Northern Ireland Patient Offer Centre

Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trolley waits were recorded at Altnagelvin hospital in each week in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: Over the period for which information was requested, the number of hospital trolley waits was reported to the Department by Trusts on a quarterly basis.
	
		Hospital trolley waits recorded in each quarter at Altnagelvin group HSS trust during the last three years
		
			 Quarter Total number of trolley waits 
		
		
			 30 June 2002 1,375 
			 30 September 2002 1,450 
			 31 December 2002 1,509 
			 31 March 2003 1,575 
			 Year 200203 5,909 
			 30 June 2003 1,652 
			 30 September 2003 1,759' 
			 31 December 2003 1,996 
			 31 March 2004 2,106 
			 Year 200304 7,513 
			 30 June 2004 1,941 
			 30 September 2004 2,008 
			 31 December 2004 1,993 
			 31 March 2005 2,230 
			 Year 200405 8,172 
		
	
	Source:
	Departmental Information Return CH10.

Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which female gonadotropin products are used by the Regional Fertility Clinic in Belfast; how much they cost; and by what process the decision is taken to use them.

Shaun Woodward: The Regional Fertility Centre has advised that they currently use several gonadotropin products. These include Puregon, Gonal F and Menogon injections. Puregon is prescribed as the product of choice for Assisted Conception but is also used for other procedures. Gonal F and Menogon are prescribed for procedures such as ovulation induction.
	These drugs are prescribed for patients where clinical decision dictates this choice.
	The total cost for these drugs during the period April to September 2005 was approximately 233,000.

Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trolley waits were recorded at Craigavon Area in each week of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: Over the period for which information was requested, the number of hospital trolley waits was reported to the Department by Trusts on a quarterly basis.
	
		Hospital trolley waits recorded in each quarter at Craigavon area hospitals group HSS trust during the last three years
		
			 Quarter Total number of trolley waits 
		
		
			 30 June 2002 3,152 
			 30 September 2002 3,360 
			 31 December 2002 4,009 
			 31 March 2003 4,240 
			 Year 200203 14,761 
			 30 June 2003 4,419 
			 30 September 2003 4,277 
			 31 December 2003 4,639 
			 31 March 2004 4,421 
			 Year 200304 17,756 
			 30 June 2004 4,356 
			 30 September 2004 4,240 
			 31 December 2004 4,201 
			 31 March 2005 4,434 
			 Year 200405 17,231 
		
	
	Source:
	Departmental Information Return CH10.

Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to provide (a) investment and (b) infrastructure aimed at sustaining key services at the Tyrone County and Erne Hospitals since 30th June 2004.

Shaun Woodward: Substantial investment has been made in maintaining services at Tyrone County and the Erne hospitals. The Department has provided Sperrin Lakeland Trust with additional capital funding of 1.9 million in 200405 and approximately 3.5 million in 200506, specifically targeted on sustaining key services in the Erne and Tyrone County hospitals. This additional funding has supported, among other things, the provision of a CT scanner and ultrasound and mammography accommodation at TCH and the refurbishment of AE and paediatric facilities at the Erne.
	In addition, the Trust has advised that they have recruited a total of 15 doctors as staff grade anaesthetists, staff grade surgeons, radiologists and AE doctors, and that of the 51 nurses recruited over the past two years from outside the UK, 32 remain in post.

Health Services

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time was at Accident and Emergency in the Causeway hospital during (a) November 2004 and (b) November 2005.

Shaun Woodward: (a) The Clinical Information System which records waiting times at the Accident and Emergency Department in Causeway hospital did not 'go live' until mid November 2004. Therefore information on average waiting times during November 2004 is not available.
	(b) For November 2005, the average waiting time from patient arrival in the Accident and Emergency department in Causeway hospital to be being seen by a Clinician was 1 hour 1 minute.

HMP Magilligan

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed at HMP Magilligan on a (a) full and (b) part-time basis; and how much was earned in total by these personnel in the 200405 financial year.

Shaun Woodward: There were 438 full-time staff employed at Magilligan and 1 part-time member of staff as at 30 November 2005. Payments for basic salary, overtime and allowances for these staff in 200405 amounted to 13.3 million.

Inward Investment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 632W, on inward investment, what assessment he has made of what steps should be taken to increase the level of foreign direct investment into Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: Invest NI constantly assesses what steps should be taken to increase the level of foreign direct investment into Northern Ireland. In doing so Invest NI continually evaluates the sectoral focus of its marketing activities and location of overseas offices.
	One example of this is the development of a Northern Ireland proposition offering a business solution for companies in the financial services sector. This led to the establishment of a Citigroup project in Northern Ireland and Invest NI's decision to open an office in New York in June 2005.
	In period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2005 Invest NI secured a total of 106 projects with investment in excess of 525 million, and these projects promoted 6,653 new jobs.

IRA Decommissioning

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the difference was in the original and final estimates for the size of the IRA arsenal in relation to (a) handguns, (b) rifles, (c) heavy machine guns, (d) ammunition, (e) missiles systems, (f) semtex, (g) explosives, (h) timing devices and (i) detonator switches.

Shaun Woodward: On 26 September 2005 the IICD determined that the IRA had met its commitment to put all its arms beyond use in a manner called for by the legislation. The IMC report published on 19 October 2005 said that the initial signs are encouraging.
	The Government expect a full report on armaments to be published when the IICD have fully concluded their work.

IT Projects

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many IT projects have been developed for his Department since 2001; and whether he has agreed to make public Gateway reviews for these projects (a) in full and (b) in part.

Shaun Woodward: The following table refers to the Northern Ireland Office. It does not include figures for the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Projects developed since 2001 2 
			 OGC Gateway Reviews made public 0 
			 FOI requests for full or partial disclosure of Gateway Reviews 0

Jonesborough Market

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total financial cost was of the police swoop on Jonesborough market in South Armagh on Sunday 4 December.

Shaun Woodward: The police operation on 4 December in Jonesborough involved officers from Organised Crime Branch, Newry and Mourne District Command and the Operational Unit as well as representatives from the film industry anti piracy body, Federation Against Copyright Theft. The total financial cost of the operation is not available.
	The operation was concentrated on the surrounding area of Jonesborough not on the market itself and a substantial quantity of counterfeit goods were seized.

Ministerial Car Fleet

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which agency or Department provided drivers for ministerial vehicles in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Peter Hain: While in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Office Ministers are driven and escorted by police officers.

Ministerial Visits

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many overnight stays he has made in Northern Ireland in each month since taking up office.

Peter Hain: The number of days I have spent in Northern Ireland between taking up office and 31 December 2005 is as follows:
	
		
			 Month Overnights Days 
		
		
			 May 3 6 
			 June 6 10 
			 July 9 14 
			 August 0 1 
			 September 5 10 
			 October 7 10 
			 November 5 11 
			 December 13 18 
		
	
	In addition to the time spent in Northern Ireland, I undertake NIO business in Parliament and in the Northern Ireland Office at 11 Millbank, as a member of the Cabinet I have additional duties including attending Cabinet meetings on Thursday mornings.

Non-jury Trials

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the necessity for non-jury trials in respect of scheduled offences in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Government are currently considering what arrangements may need to be put in place to ensure the continuing effectiveness of the criminal justice system when Part VII of the Terrorism Act 2000 ceases to have effect. During the Report stage in the House of Commons of the Terrorism (Northern Ireland) Bill I indicated that we should have detailed proposals worked up next summer and that these will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny.

Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be affected by the terms of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill; and how many he expects to be (a) republicans, (b) loyalists, (c) police personnel, (d) army personnel and (e) other security service personnel.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Campbell) on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1644W.

Nurses

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing vacancies there are in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of nursing vacancies is only held for posts within the NI HPSS. This information is provided in the table as follows.
	
		Number of current and long-term qualified and unqualified nursing staff vacancies in the NI HPSS as at 31 March 2005
		
			  Current vacancies Long-term vacancies 
			  Headcount WTE Headcount WTE 
		
		
			 Qualified nursing staff 642 593.86 283 274.56 
			 Unqualified nursing staff 124 102.26 25 22.60 
			 Total 766 696.12 308 297.16 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. WTE = whole-time equivalent.
	2. Qualified nursing staff include health visitors, district nurses and midwives.
	3. Current vacancy is an unoccupied post, which at 31 March 2005 was vacant and which the organisation was actively trying to fill.
	4. A long-term vacancy is an unoccupied post which at 31 March 2005 had been vacant for three months or more (was vacant prior to 31 December 2004) and which the organisation was actively trying to fill. Long-term vacancies are a sub-set of current vacancies.
	Source:
	NI Health Trusts and Organisations

Obesity

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland aged (a) under 20, (b) 20 to 30, (c) 30 to 40, (d) 40 to 50 and (e) over 50 are estimated to be clinically obese.

Shaun Woodward: Figures for the percentage of people who are clinically obese in Northern Ireland for the requested age groups are as follows:
	
		
			 Age group Percentage of population who are obese 
		
		
			 1619 9 
			 2029 12 
			 3039 14 
			 4049 22 
			 50+ 25 
			 Total 19 
		
	
	Source:
	1997 Health and well-being survey
	The information requested is not available for persons under 16.

Parades

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many participants in parades have been prosecuted for not completing form 11/1 in the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: I understand the high level of public interest in this issue at present. Acquiring the information from records held in 29 District Command Units within the set timeframe will take some time. I am, however, willing to write to the Chief Constable, PSNI, requesting this information and to ensure that a copy of the reply is forwarded to you once the research has been completed.

Parades

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parades proceeded (a) with and (b) without completion of form 11/1 in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The Parades Commission Secretariat has collated the information for part (a) of your request and I reproduce this in the following table:
	
		
			  Notified parades 
		
		
			 April 2000 to March 2001 3,440 
			 April 2001 to March 2002 3,301 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 3,280 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 3,125 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 3,470 
			 March 2005 to end 2005 3,123 
			 Total parades notified in the last five years 19,739 
		
	
	The Parades Commission do not have records on parades that proceeded without notification. To accurately answer part (b) of your question will require manually accessing the information from records held in 29 PSNI District Command Units and will not be possible within the set timeframe. However, as with your previous question, I am willing to write to the Chief Constable requesting this information and to ensure that a copy of the reply is forwarded to you once the research has been completed.

Parades

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each parade in Northern Ireland in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005 to date by its named organisation.

Shaun Woodward: This information is already in the public domain and is available in the Parades Commission's reports which are laid annually before Parliament, or via the Parades Commission's websitehttp://www.paradescommission.org/.

Parades

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parades took place in each of the last 12 months in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: This information is already in the public domain and is available in the Parades Commission's reports which are laid before Parliament annually or via the Parades Commission's websitehttp: //www.paradescommission.org/.

Police Service

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers in Northern Ireland were offered early retirement packages on health grounds in 2004.

Shaun Woodward: There were a total of 147 ill health retirements during the financial year 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.
	Figures for police officers retirements on the grounds of ill health include both serving, and ex-serving officers who have applied retrospectively and are not held separately.

Police Service

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of service was of officers with the rank of police inspector and above in Northern Ireland in (a) 1995 and (b) 2005.

Shaun Woodward: The average length of service for officers of the rank of Inspector and above in December 1995 is 27.94 years and in December 2005 is 24.11 years. A breakdown of individual ranks is as follows:
	
		
			  Average service (years) 
			 Rank December 1995 December 2005 
		
		
			 ACPO 33.30 25.48 
			 Chief Superintendent 32.30 26.28 
			 Superintendent 28.19 24.44 
			 Chief Inspector 24.50 23.24 
			 Inspector 21.40 21.09

Police Service

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the strength is of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The total strength of the Police Service of Northern Ireland as of 20 December 2005 is 9,413. This figure can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			 Service Number 
		
		
			 Regular (59)7,507 
			 Full-Time Reserve 1,062 
			 Part-Time Reserve 844 
		
	
	(59) Including those working part-time hours

Pre-school Education

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on pre-school provision in Dungannon and South Tyrone; and what plans there are to change such provision.

Angela Smith: Part of the Dungannon district council area falls within the Fermanagh and South Tyrone parliamentary constituency. Looking at the two areas separately will count some pre-school provision twice.
	The overall level of funded pre-school provision in the Dungannon district council area is 95 per cent. and the Fermanagh and South Tyrone parliamentary constituency is 99 per cent., which would indicate there is sufficient provision to meet the Pre-school Education Expansion Programme's aim of providing a year of good quality pre-school education for every child whose parents wish it. Research has shown that approximately 10 per cent. of parents do not wish their children to attend pre-school education.

Pre-school Education

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to increase Sure Start provision in Dungannon and South Tyrone.

Shaun Woodward: Investment in the Sure Start project currently operating in Dungannon stands at 300,000 for 200506 and means that around 700 children under the age of 4 and their families have access to the range of services offered by the project. At this stage, no decisions have been taken on any possible expansion of Sure Start across Northern Ireland.

Pre-school Education

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding is being allocated to improving pre-school provision in each of the next three years.

Angela Smith: On 14 December 2005 the Secretary of State confirmed an allocation in the next two years of 28 million and 33 million to the new priority funding package for children and young people originally announced in October.
	Departments have been working to draw up detailed plans, and related funding, to meet the objectives of the package, which includes an element of pre-school provision.

Professional Disqualifications

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many doctors in Northern Ireland were disqualified in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: It is only the General Medical Council (GMC), through the Fitness to Practice panels, who may erase a doctor from the medical register within the UK. They have identified three such cases occurring in Northern Ireland during the 10 year period, one in each of 2002, 2004, and 2005. However, the registered address that doctors must maintain with the GMC is not necessarily their place of practice so, although it is unlikely that there have been other cases, the possibility exists.

Professional Disqualifications

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many company directors in Northern Ireland have been disqualified in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The following table shows the number of directors disqualified in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 financial years.
	
		Number
		
			 Year ending 31 March Directors disqualified 
		
		
			 1996 24 
			 1997 25 
			 1998 32 
			 1999 21 
			 2000 26 
			 2001 16 
			 2002 20 
			 2003 (60)17 
			 2004 (60)10 
			 2005 (60)26 
			 Total 217 
		
	
	(60) Includes undertakings not to act as a director given under Article 4 of the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.

Prosecutions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many cases of (a) indecent behaviour, (b) rape and (c) sexual assault files were sent to the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service and were subsequently returned recommending no prosecution in each of the last 10 years.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	In respect of (a) indecent behaviour and (c) sexual assault, the information requested is not available. Until the commencement of the PPS in June of this year, virtually all minor offences, which would include the majority of cases of indecent behaviour and some forms of sexual assault, were dealt with in the magistrates court and were prosecuted by the police. That continues to be the case in those areas of Northern Ireland which are not yet covered by the new service. The PPS does not record offences under the general heading of sexual assaulta category which could include a number of different offences some of which would have been prosecuted by the police.
	In respect of (b) rape, over the five year period 2001 to 2005 (to 16 December), of the 133 persons charged by police with an offence of rape, 68 (51 per cent.) were directed for prosecution for rape and 21 (16 per cent.) for lesser offences (eg indecent assault. No prosecution was directed for the remaining 44 suspects. This can be broken down by year as follows:
	
		
			  Prosecution direction for offence of rape Prosecution direction for lesser offence No prosecution directed Total 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number 
		
		
			 2001 12 50 4 17 8 33 24 
			 2002 11 41 3 11 13 48 27 
			 2003 16 50 6 19 10 31 32 
			 2004 15 68 3 14 4 18 22 
			 2005 14 50 5 18 9 32 28 
		
	
	The figures for 2005 are provisional.
	It should be noted that the above figures apply only to charge cases (that is, cases commenced by police by way of charge). No reliable information is available in relation to cases where police did not charge a suspect but reported the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
	Data cannot be provided prior to 2001.

Runaway Children

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many runaway children were reported in each police district command unit in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold a central record which would identify runaway children. To obtain this information would involve a manual trawl of records at disproportionate cost.

Public Officials (Security Threat)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether public officials have had to move house in Northern Ireland due to the danger of becoming victims of terrorism, since the police raid on Sinn Fein offices in Stormont in 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: As a result of the paramilitary intelligence gathering which police acted to prevent, hundreds of stolen documents were recovered. More than a thousand people had to be warned about their safetysome of whom moved houseand approximately 35 million was spent on protective measures.

Spy Ring (Stormont)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was to the Police Service of Northern Ireland of the investigation into those charged with running a spy ring at Stormont in 2002.

Shaun Woodward: To obtain an accurate breakdown of what has been a complex, multi-faceted and lengthy investigation would require careful and involved analysis by the PSNI. Such an answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Temporary Mobile Classrooms

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many temporary mobile classrooms are in use in (a) controlled schools and (b) maintained schools in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: At 31 March 2005 there were 1,126 temporary classrooms in controlled schools and 1,220 maintained schools in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein Offices (Stormont)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who authorised the police raid in 2002 on Sinn Fein offices in Stormont.

Shaun Woodward: The fact in this case is that a paramilitary organisation, namely the Provisional IRA, was actively involved in the systematic gathering of information and targeting of individuals.
	Police investigated that activity and a police operation led to the recovery of thousands of sensitive documents that had been removed from government offices.
	As part of the investigation, the Police Service of Northern Ireland required to search a number of offices at Stormont. These searches were conducted under the authority of a Schedule 5 Search Warrant that had been sought by a police officer and authorised by the relevant judicial authority.

Punishment Beatings

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were the subject of paramilitary-style punishment attacks in each year of the current troubles; how many persons have been convicted in respect of such attacks; how many of those attacks remain unsolved; and how many of those attacks involved (a) firearms, (b) bladed instruments, (c) other weapons and (d) assault without weapons.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland have advised that the only statistics held in relation to this matter can be found at the PSNI website, www.psni.police.uk and are set out as follows. You should note that statistics only date back to 1973 and that data are not held for convictions or weapons used. All statistics are provisional at this stage and may be subject to minor amendment.
	
		Casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks1973 to 2005 (updated on 14 December 2005)
		
			  Shootings Assaults(61) 
			  Total By Loyalist groups(62) By Republican groups(62) Total By Loyalist groups(62) By Republican groups(62) Total casualties (shootings and assaults) 
		
		
			 1973 74 21 53 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1974 127 43 84 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1975 189 50 139 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1976 98 36 62 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1977 126 28 98 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1978 67 17 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1979 76 25 51 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1980 77 26 51 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1981 80 14 66 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1982 81 22 59 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1983 31 9 22 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1984 26 6 20 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1985 32 11 21 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1986 41 24 17 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1987 124 67 57 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 1988 66 34 32 56 21 35 122 
			 1989 161 65 96 51 23 28 212 
			 1990 106 60 46 68 21 47 174 
			 1991 76 40 36 62 22 40 138 
			 1992 133 72 61 74 36 38 207 
			 1993 85 60 25 41 35 6 126 
			 1994 122 68 54 70 38 32 192 
			 1995 3 3 0 217 76 141 220 
			 1996 24 21 3 302 130 172 326 
			 1997 72 46 26 156 78 78 228 
			 1998 72 34 38 144 89 55 216 
			 1999 73 47 26 134 90 44 207 
			 2000 136 86 50 132 78 54 268 
			 2001 186 121 65 146 93 53 332 
			 2002 173 117 56 139 89 50 312 
			 2003 156 101 55 149 103 46 305 
			 2004 112 89 23 115 74 41 227 
			 2004(63) 109 87 22 109 72 37 218 
			 2005(64) 78 69 9 83 57 26 161 
		
	
	(61) Beatings
	(62) Attribution is as perceived by PSNI based on the information available and does not necessarily indicate the involvement of a paramilitary organisation.
	(63) To 30 November 2004
	(64) To 30 November 2005
	Note:
	2005 statistics are provisional at this stage and may be subject to minor amendment in the future.

Road Traffic Accidents

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the locations of each fatal road traffic collision in East Belfast District Command Unit from 2000 to 2004.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is contained in the following table:
	
		Fatal road traffic collisions in East Belfast DCU from 200004
		
			 Town Road name 
		
		
			 Belfast Airport Road West, 160 metres north of Tennant's Road 
			 Belfast Upper Newtownards Road, 100 metres east of Prince of Wales Avenue 
			 Belfast Parkway, 200 metres south of Belmont Road 
			 Belfast Sydenham By Pass, 600 metres south of Tillysburn Interchange 
			 Belfast Old Holywood Road, at the junction with Finchley Park 
			 Belfast Upper Newtownards Road, at the junction with Finvoy Street 
			 Belfast Ballymiscaw Road, at the junction with Moss Road 
			 Belfast Ravenhill Road, 40 metres south of Ravenhill Avenue 
			 Belfast Newtownards Road, at the junction with East Bread Street 
			 Belfast Holywood Road, 15 metres east of Park Avenue 
			 Belfast Belmont Road, 30 metres west of Ranfurly Drive

Sports Council

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the response of 17 October 2005, Official Report, column 750W, on the Sports Council, if he will break down by sport the funding distributed by the Sports Council in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has allocated lottery and exchequer funding to individual sports in Northern Ireland for the amounts shown in the following tables in the last five years. This includes funding for bodies with a province wide remit, for example governing bodies of sport:
	
		Lottery monies allocated by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland
		
			  
			 Sport 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Angling 19,700 10,429 0 0 0 
			 Archery 0 0 0 0 10,917 
			 Association Football 1,217,900 442,908 696,561 328,153 765,048 
			 Athletics 170,739 197,414 452,908 46,480 174,293 
			 Badminton 57,124 7,350 0 0 106,755 
			 Basketball 6,200 0 100,000 0 14,000 
			 Billiards and Snooker 15,442 0 0 4,800 22,700 
			 Bowling 154,409 8,075 47,176 98,300 39,460 
			 Boxing 147,000 57,823 1,918 249,515 164,109 
			 Camogie 2,200 0 70,000 110,000 0 
			 Canoeing 0 0 0 0 13,200 
			 Cricket 285,500 59,202 16,000 157,420 6,900 
			 Cycling 66,785 82,823 68,340 35,880 207,680 
			 Disabled Sport 0 16,442 99,300 95,110 11,248 
			 Equestrianism 2,500 59,910 55,400 18,760 15,530 
			 Fencing 67,320 10,020 8,080 14,240 40,400 
			 Gaelic Sports 1,668,382 611,024 530,462 1,071,11 635,699 
			 General 0 750,704 0 0 500,000 
			 Gliding 0 0 0 6,720 0 
			 Golf 67,008 69,750 24,945 101,225 29,680 
			 Gymnastics 39,217 6,535 3,720 0 479,097 
			 Handball 0 46,845 0 0 5,200 
			 Hang/Para Gliding 5,750 0 0 0 0 
			 Hockey 19,625 22,850 68,800 0 82,530 
			 Hurling 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Ice Skating 12,780 29,000 21,240 16,400 0 
			 Judo 0 67,285 39,444 3,320 8,000 
			 Karate 8,877 0 0 0 1,400 
			 Karting 0 0 12,440 0 0 
			 Motorcycling 50,786 47,600 55,940 12,960 131,000 
			 Motor Sports 46,930 7,250 0 0 127,650 
			 Mountaineering 0 6,040 0 0 0 
			 Multi Sports 859,910 1,162,713 730,956 134,665 0 
			 Orienteering 16,307 0 0 0 0 
			 Netball 0 38,044 5,000 0 9,050 
			 Rowing 95,933 5,450 0 0 77,424 
			 Rugby Union 218,946 144,000 76,860 244,163 0 
			 Sailing/Yachting 52,756 32,900 12,000 15,160 14,500 
			 Shooting 235,733 53,384 39,680 0 187,490 
			 Skiing 0 20,988 0 0 0 
			 Squash 44,722 39,845 8,000 0 48,820 
			 Sub Aqua 9,000 0 15,000 12,593 0 
			 Surfing 0 0 0 0 11,750 
			 Swimming 96,861 149,523 42,008 25,112 78,367 
			 Table Tennis 57,650 4,560 0 38,442 50,630 
			 Tennis 0 112,200 111,700 63,958 0 
			 Trampolining 13,000 0 0 0 0 
			 Triathlon 19,480 32,800 41,720 0 44,229 
			 Tug of War 0 0 0 0 18,000 
			 Volleyball 0 0 0 0 25,533 
			 Water-skiing 7,432 5,960 4,440 18,200 21,500 
			 Weightlifting 0 3,700 0 0 9,400 
			 Yoga 3,170 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 5,863,074 4,623,346 3,460,038 2,922,688 4,189,189 
		
	
	
		Exchequer monies allocated by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland
		
			  
			 Sport 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Aikido   574   
			 Archery   2,300 4,000  
			 Athletics   50,500 67,606 75,972 
			 Badminton   27,000 59,217 53,014 
			 Basketball   25,210 37,600 35,395 
			 Bowling   17,560 36,000 16,071 
			 Boxing   25,761 9,250 6,237 
			 Camogie   15,389 40,990 29,905 
			 Canoeing   6,160 39,461 39,208 
			 Cricket   26,330 61,814 65,246 
			 Cycling   19,800 34,300 36,592 
			 Fencing   7,525 14,300 24,025 
			 Fishing   3,232   
			 Gaelic   543,075 154,550 121,169 
			 Glyding   950   
			 Golf   13,438   
			 Gymnastics   20,578 33,986 44,554 
			 Hockey   55,333 112,193 120,605 
			 Horse Riding   2,874 37,337 48,297 
			 Ice Hockey   1,150   
			 Ice Skating   2,800   
			 Ju Jitsu   2,450 5,000 7,710 
			 Judo   20,011 43,199 20,576 
			 Karate   1,445 7,000 2,350 
			 Karting   5,300 10,925 19,826 
			 Motor Sport   108,072 231,725 230,228 
			 Multi Sport   1,537,809 2,046,568 1,612,313 
			 Netball   29,008 58,595 53,265 
			 Rowing   8,300 6,670 13,988 
			 Rugby   25,100 105,528 99,933 
			 Shooting   11,850 33,233 10,535 
			 Skiing   3,150 3,500 9,461 
			 Snooker   3,000 7,742 7,295 
			 Soccer   601,668 134,929 1,039,002 
			 Squash   23,642 41,687 38,299 
			 Surfing 5,121 
			 Swimming   29,967 58,948 52,042 
			 Table Tennis   20,712 50,789 54,622 
			 Taekwondo   2,350 5,000 13,811 
			 Tennis   11,320 44,304 55,300 
			 Triathlon   2,300 8,515 6,708 
			 Volleyball   10,686 24,579 31,096 
			 Water Polo7,842 9,500 
			 Weightlifting   632 3,605 3,750 
			 Yachting   21,385 60,110 60,358 
			 Yoga   1,750   
			 Total   3,349,445 3,742,597 4,173,379 
		
	
	A breakdown of exchequer funding allocated by sport is not available for the period 200001 to 200102.

Sure Start

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding is being allocated to Sure Start in the Province in each of the next three years.

Shaun Woodward: The budget for Health and Personal Social Services includes 9.335million in 200607 for Sure Start rising to 9.615 million in 200708.
	Sure Start is one of the possible recipients of additional funding from the Children and Young People's Package. A final decision on the allocation of this funding, which amounts to 28 million in 200607 and 33 million in 200708, has yet to be reached.
	Expenditure planning figures for 200809 will be arrived at as a result of the national 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Water Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Water Service staff there were on 1 January (a) 2001 and (b) 2005, broken down by (i) grade and (ii) location; and how many are planned for 2007 in each case.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Katharine Bryan, dated 21 December 2005
	Your recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about the number of Water Service staff there were on 1 January 2001 and 2005, broken down by grade and location, and how many are planned for 2007 in each case (38484). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	The staff-in-post figures for 2001 and 2005 by grade and location are set out in the tables below. The figures show an overall reduction of 181 staff (8%). The reduction is relative of the impact of the Water Reform process which requires Water Service to produce overall efficiencies in running costs.
	
		
			 Grade January 2001 January 2005 
		
		
			 Grade 3 1 1 
			 Grade 5 6 6 
			 Grade 6 10 9 
			 Grade 7 39 40 
			 Deputy Principal and Analagous 108 126 
			 Staff Officer and Analagous 177 167 
			 Executive Officer I and Analagous 368 332 
			 Executive Officer II and Analagous 73 67 
			 Administrative Officer 223 241 
			 Administrative Assistant 93 65 
			 Industrial 1,067 930 
			 Total 2,165 1,984 
		
	
	
		
			 Location January 2001 January 2005 
		
		
			 Altnahinch 1 3 
			 Antrim 65 44 
			 Armagh 39 43 
			 Ballycastle 12 9 
			 Ballynahinch 0 3 
			 Ballinrees 1 4 
			 Ballykeel 6 73 
			 Ballymena 182 87 
			 Ballymoney 13 8 
			 Ballinacor 1 1 
			 Banbridge 26 35 
			 Bangor 1 0 
			 Greater Belfast 758 710 
			 Bullays Hill 1 5 
			 Carrickfergus 15 1 
			 Castor Bay 0 2 
			 Carron Hill 1 0 
			 Castlederg 1 0 
			 Clogher 0 2 
			 Coleraine 49 42 
			 Conlig 71 61 
			 Cookstown 18 12 
			 Craigavon 219 151 
			 Downpatrick 53 50 
			 Dungannon 8 27 
			 Dungiven 1 0 
			 Dungonnell 1 4 
			 Dunmurry 14 13 
			 Enniskillen 72 72 
			 Fofanny 1 0 
			 Gelvin Grange 0 4 
			 Holywood 4 0 
			 Killylane 1 3 
			 Londonderry 208 194 
			 Larne 20 11 
			 Limavady 1 3 
			 Lisburn 64 58 
			 Lough Fea 1 5 
			 Loughgall 0 1 
			 Lurgan 1 1 
			 Magherafelt 26 36 
			 Moyola 0 4 
			 Newtownards 1 0 
			 Newcastle 4 1 
			 Newmills 8 8 
			 Newry 52 70 
			 Oaklands 0 1 
			 Omagh 85 73 
			 Portadown 40 1 
			 Rathlin 0 2 
			 Seagoe 9 40 
			 Strabane 9 6 
			 Whiteabbey 1 0 
			 Total 2,165 1,984 
		
	
	Detailed planning for the achievement of efficiencies in 2007 is proceeding. It is not possible, at this stage, to give definitive numbers, grades or locations but a further reduction in numbers is planned.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Air Weapons

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange a general amnesty on all air weapons on a particular day when they could be handed in at police stations.

Hazel Blears: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 28 October 2005, Official Report, column 532W.
	Possession of an air weapon is not an offence and so a general amnesty as such would not be appropriate. Individual police forces can, and do, encourage people to hand in unwanted air weapons, particularly when there is a problem of misuse in their force area. We are planning a knives amnesty in the new year and will consider whether it can be extended to cover the hand-in of other weapons including possibly airguns.

Air Weapons

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many injuries were caused by air weapons in Hartlepool in the last year for which data is available.

Hazel Blears: Data collected centrally for recorded crime involving firearms in England and Wales is only available at police force level. Information for Hartlepool is therefore included in data for Cleveland police and is given in the table.
	
		Injuries incurred during offences involving air weapons(65) recorded by Cleveland police, 200304
		
			 Type of injury Number of injuries 
		
		
			 Fatal 0 
			 Serious(66) 4 
			 Slight 38 
		
	
	(65) By the weapon being fired, used as a blunt instrument or in a threat.
	(66) A serious injury is one which necessitated detention in hospital or involved fractures, concussion, severe or general shock, penetration by a bullet or multiple shot wounds.

Air Weapons

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving the use of air weapons took place in Hartlepool in the last year for which information is available.

Hazel Blears: Data collected centrally for recorded crime involving firearms in England and Wales is only available at police force level. Information for Hartlepool is included in data from Cleveland police, who recorded 361 offences involving the use of air weapons in 200304.

Aircraft Arrests

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether UK police have authority to arrest individuals suspected of criminal offences who are on board aircraft which transit through UK (a) civilian airports and (b) military airfields.

Hazel Blears: In England and Wales, a constable may arrest a person without a warrant under section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. Section 17 provides a constable with the power to enter and search any premises for the purpose of arresting a person for an arrestable offence. An aircraft falls within the definition of premises.
	Similar provisions exist in Northern Ireland under Article 26 and Article 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
	In Scotland, a constable may detain a person without a warrant under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 where he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence punishable by imprisonment. Section 14 does not contain any power to enter and search premises prior to detention without a warrant. If the police are satisfied that there is evidence that a person or persons have committed a crime, they can arrest them without warrant at common law where that is necessary in the interests of justice.
	UK police do not have the authority to arrest if the aircraft in question is a military aircraft as this has special status in international law even when it is on the ground. The aircraft and anything inside remains the sovereign territory of the foreign military. This is a recognised principle of international law based on the doctrine of state immunity, where a state enjoys immunity in respect of itself and its property, from the jurisdiction of the courts of another state.

Airport Policing

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which airports are designated for police purposes; what the costs charged to the airport operators for policing were in each case in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost of policing in each of the five largest airports which are not designated for police purposes in each of the past five years;
	(3)  if he will review the status of major airports which are not designated for police purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Details of the policing costs at individual airports, whether designated or not, are not held centrally. There are nine airports that are currently designated under the Aviation Security Act 1982. These are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick and Aberdeen.
	The Department for Transport is leading a review of the designation process, but work on this has been suspended pending the outcome of a request for determination by the Secretary of State under the terms of the above Act. The review will resume once a determination has been made in this case.

Animals (Scientific Procedures)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the nature and purpose was of the 47 procedures performed on endangered wild birds in 2004 under the Animals (Scientific procedures) Act 1986.

Andy Burnham: All 47 procedures reported in the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals 2004 (Cm 6713) as having been performed on wild birds were for research for conservation purposes into techniques to reduce the mortality of threatened species due to infectious diseases. The procedures involved vaccination and taking of small blood samples. No special techniques were used and no anaesthesia was necessary.

Antisocial Behaviour

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to tackle (i) antisocial behaviour and (ii) antisocial behaviour outside night clubs and public houses in Southend-on Sea; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Southend on Sea is an Antisocial Behaviour Unit Action area.
	The Home Office have allocated Southend on Sea 50,000 in 200506 to tackle anti social behaviour. 25,000 of this has been allocated to tackle the most antisocial families in the town. The remaining 25,000 is being used to fund a number of initiatives including:
	extension of the Mediation Service across the borough;
	witness support;
	covert CCTV deployment;
	ASB Initiatives Fund to enable small initiatives to be carried out throughout the Borough;
	roadrunner schemea course aimed at good driving behaviour for 16 and 17-year-olds.
	Southend on Sea are undertaking a number initiatives to combat alcohol related disorder outside pubs and clubs, on the sea front and in the town centre. These focus both on prevention and enforcement and include the following:
	S.O.S Bus;
	The Street Pastors;
	No alcohol zones. Three designated areas in Southend where no alcohol can be consumed on the street;
	Club Watcha meeting of the licensee's and police;
	Door staff vetting/training;
	Drug safes supplied to nightclubs in relation to substances or other articles seized. These can only be opened by police.

Antisocial Behaviour

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued to citizens living in Southend-on Sea in each month since their introduction.

Hazel Blears: The readily available information is by quarter and is given in the following table.
	
		Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office where restrictions are imposed within Southend-on-Sea local government area, by period, 1 June 2000(67) to 31 March 2005 (latest available)
		
			 England and Wales Issued 
		
		
			 July to September 2000  
			 October to December 2000  
			 January to March 2001  
			 April to June 2001  
			 July to September 2001  
			 October to December 2001  
			 January to March 2002  
			 April to June 2002 1 
			 July to September 2002  
			 October to December 2002  
			 January to March 2003  
			 April to June 2003  
			 July to September 2003  
			 October to December 2003 8 
			 January to March 2004 4 
			 April to June 2004  
			 July to September 2004  
			 October to December 2004 1 
			 January to March 2005 4 
			 Total 18 
		
	
	(67) Between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (pfa). During this period no ASBOs were issued, as reported, within Essex pfa.
	Note:
	As from 1 June 2000 data collected centrally by magistrates courts committee (MCC) area by quarter. For the month of June 2000 no (0) asbos were reported as being issued.

Antisocial Behaviour

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to tackle (i) anti-social behaviour and (ii) antisocial behaviour outside nightclubs and public houses in Tamworth; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Tamworth Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) has adapted an incremental approach to tackling antisocial behaviour which involves letters, visits, acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) and ultimately legal enforcement through antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) or injunctions. Serious cases of antisocial behaviour are monitored by a multi agency action group which sits under the Community Safety Partnership.
	Since April 2004 to March 2005 the Community Safety Partnership has issued:
	350 first stage letter warnings to young people
	seven multi agency visits to parents of juveniles causing antisocial behaviour
	22 ABCs
	Between April 1999 and June 2005 four ASBOs have been issued in Tamworth. Trent Basic Command Unit (BCD) has received an extra 10,000 Home Office funding as part of the third national Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign. This campaign has been running since 15 November 2005 and enables the BCU to provide extra high visibility patrols aimed at deterring alcohol-related crime and disorder, including antisocial behaviour taking place in the vicinity of nightclubs and public houses.
	On the 15 December 2005, the Tamworth CDRP, in conjunction with a multi agency partnership will launch their antisocial behaviour campaign with a specific focus on drink related violence.

Antisocial Behaviour

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Government funding schemes are available for organisations which tackle antisocial behaviour and youth development; and how much money was available to each scheme in the last 12 months.

Hazel Blears: Tackling antisocial behaviour is a cross-Departmental issue and many Government Departments contribute to this agenda. A wide range of funding streams across Government have a positive impact on tackling antisocial behaviour. For example Neighbourhood Renewal programmes which focus on the most deprived areas and give practitioners and local communities a real opportunity to turn their neighbourhoods around; the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) through their work on schools and parenting contribute to preventing problems escalating and ensuring families get the support they need; the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and their work in tackling litter and fly tipping which can often blight neighbourhoods where antisocial behaviour and crime can take hold; and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) who provide the opportunity to divert young people from the destructive and damaging involvement in antisocial behaviour. The Departmental for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) also contributes to ensure a swift and effective criminal justice system for dealing with the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour activity.
	Please see the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year 200506  million 
		
		
			 Funding scheme  
			 Building Safer Communities Fund 74 
			 Safer Stronger Communities Fund 9.4 
			 Youth Justice Board Prevention Budget 12 
			 Positive Futures 5.8 
			 Anti-Social Behaviour Trailblazer/Action areas 5.9 
			 Total funding 107.1

Antisocial Behaviour

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued by courts in each London borough in each month since the penalty was introduced; how many have been breached; how many breaches resulted in custodial sentences awarded in (a) adult and (b) juvenile courts; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The readily available information is by quarter and is given in the table.
	The Home Office Court Proceedings Database holds breach proceedings only where there has been a conviction. These data are available at Criminal Justice System area level only. 
	
		Number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office, where restrictions are imposed within Greater London local government authority areas, by period, 1 June 2000(68) to 30 June 2005 (latest available)
		
			  Period 
			  June to December 2000 2001 
			 Area June July to September October to December January to March April to June July to September October to December 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham
			 Barnet 2   
			 Bexley  2  
			 Brent
			 Bromley   1 
			 Camden  1 41 
			 City of London
			 Croydon   1 
			 Ealing
			 Enfield
			 Greenwich  3  
			 Hackney  1  
			 Hammersmith and Fulham2
			 Haringey
			 Harrow
			 Havering
			 Hillingdon
			 Hounslow
			 Islington
			 Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough
			 Kingston-upon-Thames
			 Lambeth  1  
			 Lewisham 2   
			 Merton
			 Newham2
			 Richmond upon Thames
			 Southwark
			 Sutton   3 
			 Tower Hamlets
			 Waltham Forest
			 Wandsworth
			 Westminster  6  
			 Greater London  10 9 4 4 4 1 
		
	
	
		
			  Period 
			  2002 2003 
			 Area January to March April to June July to September October to December January to March April to June July to September October to December 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 
			 Barnet   1  
			 Bexley6 1 2 1  
			 Brent   7  
			 Bromley   2 3 
			 Camden 3  1 6 2 10 1 8 
			 City of London 
			 Croydon   2 4 
			 Ealing1 
			 Enfield1 
			 Greenwich3 
			 Hackney  1 1  
			 Hammersmith and Fulham2 
			 Haringey 
			 Harrow 
			 Havering1 
			 Hillingdon 
			 Hounslow  1 2 2 
			 Islington 1 1 4 1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough   1  
			 Kingston-upon-Thames  2  2 
			 Lambeth 
			 Lewisham   2 1 
			 Merton 11  1  
			 Newham 
			 Richmond upon Thames  2  1 
			 Southwark  1  5 
			 Sutton  1 1  
			 Tower Hamlets  1   1  1  
			 Waltham Forest 
			 Wandsworth3 
			 Westminster   2 3 
			 Greater London 4 2 1 12 6 20 29 41 
		
	
	
		
			  Period 
			  2004 2005 
			 Area January to March April to June July to September October to December January to March April to June Total issued 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham   1 1 3  5 
			 Barnet  3 4 2 2 2 16 
			 Bexley  3 1  1 3 20 
			 Brent 1  2 2 3 2 17 
			 Bromley 1   2  2 11 
			 Camden 12 5 12 7 7 12 92 
			 City of London  1 3 1 1 1 7 
			 Croydon  6  1  1 15 
			 Ealing 2 5 4  1 2 15 
			 Enfield 2 1   2 7 13 
			 Greenwich 4  1  7 1 19 
			 Hackney  2 2 1 4 2 14 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1 4  3 4 4 20 
			 Haringey  4 5 8 8 5 30 
			 Harrow  2 3 1 1  7 
			 Havering 1  3 3 8 2 18 
			 Hillingdon  3 5 4 11 8 31 
			 Hounslow 3 6 4 4 6 3 31 
			 Islington  1 1 3 3 1 16 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough 1 3 3 1 2 4 15 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames  1  2  2 9 
			 Lambeth  5 8 3 5 4 26 
			 Lewisham 2 2 4  2 4 19 
			 Merton 4 3 1 3 3 1 18 
			 Newham  2 1 2 1 2 10 
			 Richmond upon Thames  1 4 3 6 2 19 
			 Southwark 1  5 1 6 3 22 
			 Sutton  1 1 3 3 7 20 
			 Tower Hamlets 3  4 7 10 9 36 
			 Waltham Forest 2  5 5 3 2 17 
			 Wandsworth 3 2 4  2 3 17 
			 Westminster 2 5 6 7 4 4 39 
			 Greater London 45 71 97 80 119 105 664 
		
	
	(68) Between 1 April 199931 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (pfa). During this period nine ASBOs were issued, as reported, within Greater London pfa.
	Note:
	This local authority area table differs from criminal justice system area (cjsa) tables in that an issuing court can be outside the area in which the restrictions have been imposed.

Asylum/Immigration

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many families have (a) returned and (b) taken steps to return to their country of origin as a result of the pilot implementation of section nine of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004; and how many families subject to this pilot have (i) failed to attend stage three interviews, (ii) lost all contact with the relevant authorities and (iii) had National Asylum Support Service withdrawn.

Tony McNulty: As at 11 November 2005, of the 116 cases families in the pilot, one family has returned to their country of origin, and 11 others are taking steps to do so. 53 failed to attend their stage three interview and 37 have lost contact with the relevant authorities. 30 families have had National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support withdrawn for section nine reasons. A further 26 families have had, support withdrawn for reasons other than section nine. These figures are not mutually exclusive, as the same families could be included in more than one category.

Asylum/Immigration

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were admitted to Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; how many were allowed to remain in the country; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Over the last 12 months, 12 individuals (excluding dependants) seeking asylum arrived in Northern Ireland.
	The following table provides a breakdown on the numbers who arrived in Northern Ireland and claimed asylum on their arrival, for each month, from November 2004 to October 2005.
	This information is based on internal management information and, as such, is not published within the official statistics.
	Information on how many were allowed to remain in the country is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of people (excluding dependants) applying for asylum on arrival at port in Northern Ireland, broken down by month, November 2004 to October 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 November 0 
			 December 0 
			 January 0 
			 February 0 
			 March 0 
			 April 1 
			 May 1 
			 June 2 
			 July 0 
			 August 0 
			 September 2 
			 October 6 
			 Total 12 
		
	
	Source:
	Data are taken from CID.

Asylum/Immigration

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance is available to failed asylum seekers' families being returned to (a) Angola, (b) the Congo, (c) Sudan and (d) other unstable countries.

Tony McNulty: In all circumstances we prefer that failed asylum seekers including families leave the United Kingdom voluntarily rather than have their removal enforced by the Immigration Service, and we promote the benefits of voluntary return to failed asylum seekers.
	Failed asylum seekers including families of all nationalities who leave the United Kingdom voluntarily can benefit from the package of reintegration assistance available as part of the Voluntary Assisted Returns and Reintegration Programme (VARRP). This is operated and delivered by International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Home Office. Participants in this scheme receive help with re-documentation, flights, and a package of reintegration assistance tailored to meet the needs of the returnees. Depending on the facilities available in the country of origin, IOM typically provide access to vocational training courses, education or assistance in establishing a small business relevant to the locality.
	Access to this package of assistance is not available to those who do not leave the United Kingdom voluntarily and subsequently have their return enforced. However in light of the special circumstances in Afghanistan and Iraq only, a package of assistance is available to those whose return is enforced to these two countries.

Asylum/Immigration

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been returned to Zimbabwe in the last six months.

Tony McNulty: In the six months from April 2005 until September 2005 140 principal asylum applicants were returned to Zimbabwe. A further 20 dependants of asylum seekers were removed to Zimbabwe in the same time period. These figures include people departing voluntarily after enforcement action has been initiated against them and people leaving under Assisted Voluntary Returns programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five and are provisional.
	Information on removals of asylum seekers is published on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 339W, on asylum immigration, whether he plans to increase expenditure on dispersal and initial accommodation for asylum seekers over the next two years.

Tony McNulty: There are no plans to increase expenditure on dispersal and initial accommodation for asylum seekers over the next two years.

Asylum/Immigration

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) criteria are used and (b) process is followed in selecting failed asylum seekers to be returned to Iraq; and what level of access to legal advice to challenge the decision is provided for those being returned.

Tony McNulty: Failed asylum seekers returning to Iraq mostly self selectover 1,000 people have returned over the last three years. During that period we have returned 15 people forciblyall single males from one of the three northern governates, who had had their asylum claims rejected and who had exhausted the appeals process. As with all failed asylum seekers, all had access to legal advice during the asylum process from the point of making the claim up to their removal from the country.

Asylum/Immigration

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers absconded during their asylum application process before a decision on their case had been made in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Information on the number of asylum applicants who have absconded is not available except at disproportionate cost by the examination of individual case-files.
	Work is ongoing to develop methodology to identify absconders using existing data sources and collate reliable data.

Asylum/Immigration

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on housing unsuccessful applicants for leave to remain in the UK in the period between their decision hearing and their deportation.

Tony McNulty: Schedule three of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 sets out the eligibility of various categories of migrant, including failed asylum seekers who have exhausted all avenues of appeal, for local authority support. The Home Office issued guidance on the implementation of schedule three to Local Authorities and Housing Authorities in December 2002.

Asylum/Immigration

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers have been evicted from their homes in Leeds, North-West before being deported from the UK in the last 12 months.

Tony McNulty: Between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2005, 11 people supported by NASS with addresses within the area of Leeds North West had their support stopped following a final negative decision on their claim for asylum.
	Responsibility for eviction rests with accommodation providers. NASS does not keep a central record showing the number of evictions which are confirmed. However, NASS pays providers for accommodation occupied by asylum seekers only. Consequently providers are not be paid for accommodation occupied without authority.
	Information on the number of unsuccessful asylum seekers who are removed is provided in the quarterly asylum statistics which can be accessed via the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	The statistics do not show where a person was living prior to removal and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Asylum/Immigration

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when each pilot of section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act 2004 was established; how many families have had support withdrawn to date; and how many children have been affected.

Tony McNulty: The pilot was established on 1 December 2004 in three Immigration Service local enforcement areas-the North-East, North-West and London.
	Under the section nine pilot, support is only withdrawn where a family whose asylum claim has failed has refused, without reasonable excuse, to take steps to return home. The National Asylum Support Service only withdraws a family's support when this can be done without breaching any person's human rights.
	From the pilot involving 116 families, there have been 27 families, including 54 children in total, where support has been withdrawn for section nine reasons.

Asylum/Immigration

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many enforcement home visits were carried out by immigration service staff in England and Wales between 1 April 2005 and 30 September 2005.

Tony McNulty: Records show that between 1 April 2005 and 30 September 2005 Immigration Service staff conducted 3697 enforcement visits to residential addresses in England and Wales. This is management information only.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 26W, on asylum immigration, if he will make a statement on the increase in deportations of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe.

Tony McNulty: The increase in the number of removals of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe was a consequence of resuming enforced returns to Zimbabwe on 16 November 2004. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement of 14 December 2005, Official Report, columns 15354WS for the latest position.

Police Training Centres

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department was consulted on the timing of the announcement by Centrex that they were to close the police training centres at Bruche, Ashford and Cwmbran; and whether any person in his Department expressed an opinion to Centrex on that timing (a) verbally and (b) in writing.

Hazel Blears: The timing of the announcement of the closure of Bruche, Ashford and Cwmbran relates only to the timing of the scheduled Centrex board meeting on 21 July.
	As these are Centrex sites, the decision to sell them after they cease to provide foundation training at the end of May 2006 is a decision for the Centrex board. It would not have been possible to make an announcement before the board had made a decision and, given that the closure has implications for individuals' jobs from May 2006, it would not have been right to delay the announcement until after parliamentary recess.
	The Home Office has a representative on the Centrex board and a Home Office official was therefore present at the board meeting on 21 July. The timing of the announcement, and the manner in which it would be conveyed to Centrex employees first, and then publicly, was agreed at the board meeting. The Home Office representative at the board meeting was party to this decision and Ministers were made aware of the decision immediately after the meeting and before the announcement was made.

Burglary Prosecutions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions there have been for burglary in each of the last seven years.

Hazel Blears: The available information from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database showing the number of Convictions for Burglary at all courts, England and Wales, 1998 to 2004, is provided in the following table. Recorded crime figures show that the number of burglaries has fallen by 32 per cent. from 199899 to 200405.
	
		Number of found guilty of burglary, England and Wales 19982004(69)
		
			  Found guilty 
		
		
			 1998 30,769 
			 1999 29,261 
			 2000 26,222 
			 2001 24,802 
			 2002 26,691 
			 2003 25,726 
			 2004 24,252 
		
	
	(69) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	Source:
	RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Car Number Plates

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) convictions and (b) prosecutions for theft of car number plates there were in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: Theft from a motor vehicle is an offence under Section one of the Theft Act 1968.
	It is not possible from the data collected on the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform to identify those offences which relate solely to the theft of car number plates from other thefts from a vehicle, as the data is not collected at this level of detail.

Citizenship Tests

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many centres carry out the British Citizenship Test; where they are located; what arrangements are made for the administration of the test; if he will list the contracts his Department has awarded to carry them out; and what system is used to monitor the quality of staff carrying out the test.

Tony McNulty: 89 centres across the UK are currently offering the test, which is taken electronically, and 11 more will be added in January. Applicants can find their five nearest test centres by entering their postcode in the appropriate section of the Life in the UK Test website (www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk) or by telephoning the test helpline on 0800 0154 245. The helpline is available from 8 am until 10 pm every day, including bank holidays.
	The contractor for the development and administration of the test is Ufi Ltd., which itself has entered into contracts with test centres. Test centre supervisors have received full training in the use of the test system and tests are carried out in accordance with the British Standards Institution code of practice for the use of IT in the delivery of assessments. Test centre and test supervisor performance is monitored and annual quality inspection visits will be undertaken to ensure that the required standard is maintained.

Combating Crime

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from small police forces on their ability to cope with terrorism, drugs and organised crime.

Hazel Blears: Following the publication of the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary report Closing the Gap the Home Secretary met with Chief Constables and Chairs of Police Authorities on 19 September and started a process for Forces and Authorities to identify how they would address the issues raised in the report including issues surrounding drugs, terrorism and organised crime. This proposal is on-going and only draft responses have been received to date. The Home Secretary will report to the house at an appropriate time.

Combating Crime

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries have been undertaken by the Home Office to determine the effectiveness of (a) small and (b) large police forces in (i) England and (ii) Wales in combating (A) drug crime, (B) terrorism and (C) organised crime.

Hazel Blears: During the course of 2005, in response to a request by the Home Secretary, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor undertook an assessment of every police force in England and Wales in relation to their capability and capacity to deliver seven 'protective services'. These protective services are:
	Counter Terrorism and Extremism
	Serious and Organised Crime
	Major Crime
	Civil Contingencies and Emergencies
	Critical Incidents
	Public Order
	Strategic Roads Policing
	The results of this assessment are contained within the Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary's report 'Closing the Gap'. Essentially the assessment identified that while leadership and organisational experience were also influencing factors, generally the larger forces were more prepared and able to provide a more proactive 'predict and prevent' approach to these types of crimes and incidents, whereas smaller forces tended to react to incidents as they occur. In particular, those forces with more than 4,000 police officers or 6,000 total staff had greater opportunity to adopt a more proactive stance.

Community Support Officers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers there are in each (a) county and (b) constituency in Wales; and what the proposed change in each number is for each of the next three years.

Hazel Blears: The table sets out the number of community support officers (CSO) for each police force in Wales and the number of CSOs in each basic command unit for each force on 30 June 2005. Information on CSO numbers is not available at parliamentary constituency level. Also included in the table are the proposed CSO allocations for each of the Welsh forces in 200607 and 200708 under the Neighbourhood Policing Fund. The allocation of CSOs to individual basic command units is a matter for the chief officer of police.
	
		Community support officers (CSO) in Wales as at 30 June 2005
		
			 Force Number of CSOs at 30 June 2005 Basic Command Units (BCU) Number of CSOs in BCU at 30 June 2005 200607 proposed CSO allocation 200708 proposed CSO allocation 
		
		
			 Dyfed-Powys 26 Carmarthenshire 17 36 95 
			   Pembrokeshire 9   
			   
			 Gwent 83 A Division 29 18 146 
			   B Division 23   
			   C Division 31   
			   
			 North Wales 63 Western Area 18 47 143 
			   Eastern Area 21   
			   Central Area 24   
			   
			 South Wales 116 Merthyr Tydfil 8 102 292 
			   Rhondda Cynon Taff 26   
			   Cardiff Central 17   
			   Vale of Glamorgan 12   
			   Bridgend 16   
			   Neath and Port Talbot 15   
			   Swansea 22

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State for Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of 14 September on behalf of Miss Kamuna Ngavunu.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to the hon. Member's inquiry of 14 September, to the Head of the Member of Parliament Correspondence Section, on 20 December.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 14 July on behalf of Hemin Mahmood Arif (Home Office reference A1088265, acknowledgement reference B16049/5) and (b) 18 July on behalf of Abbas Adele (Home Office reference A1165607).

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Arif on 19 December 2005.
	(b) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Adele on 19 July 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 21 June regarding Abdara Haman Mursalin Khan and Family (Home Office reference K386956, acknowledgement reference B14179/5) and (b) 5 July regarding Louakel Ali (Home Office reference A575300, acknowledgement reference B15337/5)

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Khan on 19 December 2005.
	(b) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Ali on 19 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State for Immigration will reply to the letters from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 23 September regarding Amisi Siana (Home Office reference number A1106558, acknowledgement reference B22657/5) and (b) of 18 October regarding (i) Mohammed Ilyas Nonil (acknowledgement reference B25061/5) and (ii) Teele Hussain Ahmed (Home Office reference A1021562, acknowledgement reference B24804/5).

Tony McNulty: The information is as follows:
	(a) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Siana on 16 December 2005.
	(b) (i) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Nonil on 16 December 2005.
	(ii) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Ahmed on 20 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 10 October 2005 on behalf of Skender Bregu (Home Office reference B1062371, acknowledgement reference B23904/5), (b) 25 October 2005 on behalf of Karim Mohammed Fatah (Home Office reference F1047285) and (c) 31 October 2005 regarding the submission of a DNA report by Mr. Abdirizak (Home Office reference M1200006).

Tony McNulty: (a) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Bregu on 20 December 2005.
	(b) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Fatah on 20 December 2005.
	(c) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Abdirizak's on 16 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 25 October 2005 on behalf of (i) Mary Moukouna Home Office reference M1198475 (acknowledgement reference B25369/5) and (ii) Mohammed Njie (receipt number LR1918021716/1) and (b) 3 October 2005 on behalf of Rudolph Bailey (Home Office reference B1053783, acknowledgement reference B23489/5).

Tony McNulty: (a) (i) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Ms Moukouna on 20 December 2005.
	(ii) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Njie on 19 December 2005.
	(b) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Bailey on 16 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 23 September 2005 on behalf of JeffreyTichaendepi Zungunde (Home Office reference DBL06850, acknowledgement reference B22764/5), (b) 4 October 2005 on behalf of Skender Caraj (Home Office reference C1023261, acknowledgement reference B23417/5) and (c) 11 October 2005 regarding Lucie Bakato Mpunda (Home Office reference M1178507).

Tony McNulty: The information is as follows:
	(a) Immigration and nationality directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Zungunde on 16 December 2005.
	(b) Immigration and nationality directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Cenaj on 19 December 2005.
	(c) Immigration and nationality directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Mpinda on 20 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, of (a) 9 August 2005 regarding (i) Donovan Lawrence (Home Office reference LR1621000699, acknowledgement reference B187931/5) and (ii) Mohamed Kalid (Home Office reference K1126377, acknowledgement reference B18800/5) and (b) 6 September 2005 regarding Umme Kulsum (Home Office reference K1205750).

Tony McNulty: The information is as follows:
	(a) (i) The immigration and nationality directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, about Mr. Lawrence on 16 December 2005.
	(ii) The immigration and nationality directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, about Mr. Kalid on 19 December 2005.
	(b) The immigration and nationality directorate could not find any record of the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, dated 6 September 2005 about Ms. Kulsum.

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letter of the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of 7 October regarding a constituent, Mr. Hosam Elseknidy (ref LR141100924X/1).

Tony McNulty: The director general of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the hon. Member on 22 December.

Court Proceedings Statistics

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, columns 3233W, on court proceedings statistics, if he will publish the statistics due to be published in late November.

Hazel Blears: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform is given in the following tables. It shows the number of defendants proceeded against at the magistrates' court for abduction and offences of supplying alcohol to persons under 18 and those under the influence of alcohol together with those found guilty for supply of alcohol to under 18s.
	
		Number of defendents proceeded against for certain offences relating to the sale of alcohol, by region1, England and Wales 2004
		
			 Offence description Statute Region 0 
		
		
			 Permitting drunkenness or riotous conduct on the premises or selling liquor to a drunken person Licensing Act 1964, Sec 172; Licensing Act (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983, Sec 3 (Sch para 6) North East 1 
			   North West 3 
			   Yorkshire and Humberside 1 
			   East Midlands  
			   West Midlands 2 
			   Eastern  
			   London 2 
			   South East 4 
			   South West  
			   Wales  
			   England and Wales 13 
			 
			 Selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 18 for consumption on the premises(71) Licensing Act 1964, Sees 169 AB; Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983, Schedule (Sec 3) para 4(1) North East 63 
			   North West 228 
			   Yorkshire and Humberside 59 
			   East Midlands 36 
			   West Midlands 81 
			   East of England 31 
			   London 162 
			   South East 66 
			   South West 33 
			   Wales 82 
			   England and Wales 841 
		
	
	(70) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(71) includes Wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to a person under 18

Crime

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of levels of (a) violent crime, (b) car crime, (c) robbery and (d) burglary in the Ruislip-Northwood constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally for the Ruislip-Northwood constituency. This constituency comes within the Hillingdon basic command unit (BCU) and figures for that BCU are given in the table.
	
		Offences recorded in the Hillingdon basic command unit200405
		
			 Offence Number of offences 
		
		
			 Violent crime 6,782 
			 Car crime 4,812 
			 Robbery 593 
			 Domestic burglary 2,056

Crime

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned on the level of crime committed in South Wales by those based outside Wales in relation to the proposals for merger of police forces in Wales.

Hazel Blears: The Home Secretary has not commissioned any specific research for South Wales into people migrating to that force area in order to commit crime.
	Larger Strategic forces will be better equipped to deal with level two criminality. The public and local communities will benefit from enhanced provision of protective services and neighbourhood policing.

Dangerous Driving (Wales)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in Wales in each of the last 30 years.

Paul Goggins: Available data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of offenders found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in Wales 19842004 are given in the following table. Data prior to 1984 are not available.
	
		Number of offenders(72) found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving(73) offences in Wales, 19842004
		
			  Convictions 
		
		
			 1984 34 
			 1985 33 
			 1986 18 
			 1987 25 
			 1988 28 
			 1989 29 
			 1990 19 
			 1991 15 
			 1992 20 
			 1993 21 
			 1994 16 
			 1995 16 
			 1996 20 
			 1997 18 
			 1998 16 
			 1999 21 
			 2000 16 
			 2001 6 
			 2002 14 
			 2003 15 
			 2004 9 
		
	
	(72) These data are on principal offence basis.
	(73) Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 S1 as amended by the Road traffic Act 1991 s3 and Criminal Justice Act 1993 s67.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on advertising by (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997.

Charles Clarke: The Home Office holds data on central Home Office advertising spend. The following table shows the breakdown since 1997. We do not hold data for other bodies and agencies as this would be of disproportionate cost.
	The amount spent by the Home Office on advertising and communications was:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199798  
			 Campaigns included recruitment of special constables, fire safety, absent voting and electoral registration 1.4 
			   
			 199899  
			 Campaigns included smoke alarms, recruitment of special constables, crime partnerships and electoral registration 1.8 
			   
			 19992000  
			 Campaigns included chip pan safety, fire safety, recruitment of special constables, European Parliament elections and electoral registration 5.65 
			   
			 200001  
			 Campaigns included fire safety, vehicle crime and recruitment of police officers 28.36 
			   
			 200102  
			 Campaigns included fire safety (smoke alarms), vehicle crime, internet child protection, drugs, recruitment of police officers and special constables and postal voting 14.4 
			   
			 200203  
			 Campaigns included vehicle crime, internet child protection, drugs, firearms amnesty and recruitment of police officers 9.9 
			   
			 200304  
			 Campaigns included vehicle crime, internet child protection, drugs, recruitment of police officers and domestic violence 12.487 
			   
			 200405  
			 Campaigns included acquisitive crime, drugs, recruitment of police officers and domestic violence 10.203

Departmental Publications

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of producing each of the publications issued by his Department in each of the last five years.

Charles Clarke: The costs provided are those recorded by the Central Home Office Communication Directorate which has a centrally managed publications function.
	The costs provided are printing costs only. Other costs involved in production e.g. design, artwork have not been recorded centrally.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200001 3,128,079.64 
			 200102 2,994,877.00 
			 200203 2,492,883.96 
			 200304 2,986,017.11 
			 200405 2,619,652.50 
		
	
	It has not been possible to calculate the cost per publication per year. Collection of this data could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Websites

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) of 3 November 2005, Official Report, column 1251W, on departmental websites, what the (a) set-up costs and (b) running costs between August 2004 and August 2005 were of (i) www.ask-the-football-fans.gov.uk, (ii) www.getgunsoffthestreets.co.uk, (iii) www.good2besecure.co.uk, (iv) www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk, (v) www.takingastand.co.uk, (vi) www.technicaladvisory.co.uk, (vii) www.thinkuknow.co.uk and (viii) www.together.gov.uk; and how many (A) unique visitors and (B) visits, as distinct from page views, each received between August 2004 and August 2005.

Charles Clarke: The sites in question predate August 2004 and therefore have incurred no set-up costs during the period in question. With regards to running costs the Home Office does not maintain its financial information in the basis you have requested and cannot provide such a breakdown without incurring disproportionate costs. The core websites for the Department have recently been redeveloped in order to begin the rationalisation of the sites held by the Department. It is anticipated that the majority of the websites cited in this question will be integrated into the main Home Office website by the middle of next calendar year. Unique visitor and user sessions for these websites from August 2004 to August 2005 are detailed in the following table.
	
		Unique visitor and user sessions for websites from August 2004 to August 2005
		
			  Unique visitors User sessions 
		
		
			 www.ask-the-football-fans.gov.uk 735 826 
			 www.getgunsoffthestreets.co.uk 3,562 3,715 
			 www.good2besecure.co.uk 13,645 15,093 
			 www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk 56,491 59,934 
			 www.takingastand.co.uk 7,551 8,922 
			 www.technicaladvisory.co.uk 688 792 
			 www.thinkuknow.co.uk 194,220 223,575 
			 www.together.gov.uk 82,238 121,787

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Minister for Disabled People, has overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). She chairs a cross-government steering group which includes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport, and Department of Trade and Industry. I am the nominated Minister for the Home Office.

Drug Addicts (Treatment)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what definition he uses of minimal force in the context of the pilot scheme in Leeds and West London for the treatment in the community of drug addicts who commit non-violent offences; and whether minimal force includes any threat of physical injury.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	The pilot scheme in West London and Leeds magistrates courts is not altering the approach of the courts to sentencing nor introducing any definition of minimal force in relation to the cases within the pilot.
	The pilots of a dedicated drug court (DDC) at these sites provide increased continuity of district judge or magistrates from sentence through any reviews of any community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement that may have been imposed. This increased continuity, combined with improved interagency working, is expected to result in an improvement in adult offenders remaining in treatment and successfully completing their orders. The entry point for the DDC is conviction of an adult offender for a trigger offence i.e. an acquisitive crime. The implication of entering the DDC for sentence is that the offender is eligible for a drug treatment order. However, that does not mean that other sentencing options, such as a custodial sentence, are not available
	Those sentencing the adult offenders going through the drug court will adhere to current guidelines issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council on sentencing and on assessing the seriousness of the offence, on community sentences if appropriate, and will take into account any case law relating to minimal force laid down by the appellate courts.

Drunkenness

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were found guilty of (a) drunkenness and (b) drunkenness with aggravation in (i) Wales and (ii) each local authority in Wales in each of the last 20 years.

Paul Goggins: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of offenders found guilty for drunkenness and drunkenness with aggravation in Wales 1985 to 2004 is given in the table. It is not possible to identify those convicted in each local authority in Wales, as the data is not collected at this level of detail. Court statistics for 2005 will be available in autumn 2006.
	
		Number of offenders found guilty for drunkenness and drunkenness with aggravation in Wales, 1985 to 2004(74)
		
			  Drunkenness(75) Drunkenness with aggravation(76) 
		
		
			 1985(77) n/a n/a 
			 1986 589 3,258 
			 1987 362 3,398 
			 1988 228 3,480 
			 1989 225 3,228 
			 1990 192 3,102 
			 1991 125 2,387 
			 1992 109 2,255 
			 1993 67 2,126 
			 1994 111 1,577 
			 1995 118 2,527 
			 1996 175 2,979 
			 1997 209 2,779 
			 1998 388 2,872 
			 1999 377 2,405 
			 2000 390 2,135 
			 2001 317 2,037 
			 2002 309 1,647 
			 2003 300 1,505 
			 2004 274 1,635 
		
	
	n/anot available
	(74) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(75) Includes offences under S.12 Licensing Act 1872, Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 SS.1(4), 1A(4), 2.(2) and S.12 Criminal Justice  Police Act 2001.
	(76) Includes offences under S.91 Criminal Justice Act 1967, S.12 Licensing Act 1872, S.174 Licensing Act 1964, S.9(4) Late Night Refreshment Houses Act 1969, S.28 London Hackney Carriage Act 1843, SS.101(1)(a)(b), (4) and (5) Merchant Shipping Act 1995, S.2 Licensing Act 1902 and S.61 Town Police Clauses Act 1847.
	(77) 1985 data no longer available due to corruption of the dataset.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee for the implementation of the Joint Action establishing a programme of exchanges, training and co-operation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime, (b) Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children and (c) Committee for the implementation of the programme of incentives and exchanges for legal practitioners have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The STOP II, Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius (general and criminal) funding programmes expired on 31 December 2002. Their Management Committees last met on 23 and 24 July 2002 to agree the successful projects for funding for that final year. They have since been replaced by a single funding programme known as AGIS.
	The AGIS Management Committee normally meets twice a year; in the spring to discuss the evaluation of bids for that funding year, and in autumn to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for the following year. Therefore the Management Committee met once during the UK presidency, on 21 September 2005, to discuss the basis for AGIS 2006.
	Before the meeting the Home Office conducted preparatory consultations with past bidders, stakeholders, agencies and devolved Administrations to discuss the UK's position in the Committee.
	The Committee meetings take place in Brussels and are called and chaired by the European Commission, with member states attending in an advisory role. The UK is generally represented at meetings of these Committees by a Home Office official and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
	The composition of the UK delegation is always agreed beforehand and it is possible for Scottish Executive officials to attend meetings of the Committees as part of the UK delegation.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on the service in the member states of judicial and extrajudicial documents and on cooperation between the courts of the member states in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters, (b) committees for the implementation of the programme of exchanges, training and cooperation between law enforcement authorities and (c) Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and cooperative programme for the prevention of crime have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Committee relating to the Regulation 1348/2000 on the service in the member states of judicial and extrajudicial documents is separate from the Committee relating to the Regulation 1206/2001 on co-operation between the courts of the member states in the taking of evidence in civil and commercial matters. The European Commission has not called any meetings during the UK presidency of either advisory Committee established under these regulations. However the Council's Civil Law Committee did meet once during the UK presidency to discuss revision of Regulation 1348/2000. This was chaired by an official from the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and an official from the Scottish Executive attended.
	The set of five Justice and Home Affairs programmes-STOP II, Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius (general and criminal)expired on 31 December 2002. Their Management Committees last met on 23 and 24 July 2002 to agree the successful projects for funding for that final year. They have since been replaced by a single funding programme known as AGIS.
	The AGIS Management Committee normally meets twice a year; in the spring to discuss the evaluation of bids for that funding year, and in autumn to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for the following year. Therefore the Management Committee met once during the UK presidency, on 21 September 2005, to discuss the basis for AGIS 2006.
	Before the meeting the Home Office conducted preparatory consultations with past bidders, stakeholders, agencies and devolved administrations to discuss the UK's position in the Committee.
	The Committee meetings take place in Brussels and are called and chaired by the European Commission, with member states attending in an advisory role. The UK is generally represented at meetings of these Committees by a Home Office official and an official from the UK permanent representation to the EU in Brussels.
	The composition of the UK delegation is always agreed beforehand and it is possible for Scottish Executive officials to attend meetings of the Committees as part of the UK delegation.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee for the implementation of the programme of training exchanges and cooperation in the field of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders and (b) Committee on the system for comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of the Dublin Convention have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Joint Action 98/244JHA of 19 March 1998 introduced a programme of training exchanges in the fields of asylum, immigration and crossing of external bordersthe Odysseus programmewhich included a Committee for implementation. Odysseus came to an end and was replaced by the Argo programme in 2002, which expanded on the aims of its predecessor to include visas. The Council Decision 2002/463/EC establishing Argo included provision at Article 13 to create a Committee for the purpose of adopting decisions on which actions merit funding.
	This Committee last met in November 2003. It has not met during the UK presidency of the EU.
	The Committee established by Article 23 of the Eurodac Regulation 2725/2000 on the fingerprint system which now supports the effective application of Regulation EC No. 343/2003 (the Dublin II Regulation) has not met. There are no immediate plans for it to do so.
	Immigration and asylum matters are reserved subjects and consequently officials from the Scottish Executive are not members of the Committees. A Home Office official and an official from the United Kingdom (UK) Permanent Representation in Brussels would represent the UK at any future meetings of the Committees.
	A meeting of the Eurodac User Group took place in Brussels on 13 October 2005 to discuss operational and technical issues. This meeting was chaired by officials from the European Commission. Home Office officials represented the UK.

European Evidence Warrant

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list types of evidence covered in the proposed European Evidence Warrant.

Andy Burnham: The draft Council Framework Decision on a European Evidence Warrant is still under negotiation. It is intended to cover objects, documents or data required for use in criminal proceedings. The taking of interviews, examinations of the body including obtaining DNA or fingerprints, information obtained in real-time for example through interception or surveillance, and the analysis of objects, documents or data are all currently excluded from the scope of the Framework Decision unless the evidence is already in the possession of the executing authority.

Experience Corps

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why no report has been available on the work of the Experience Corps since March 2004.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office has not funded the Experience Corps since March 2004 and has not therefore required any report since that date.

Faith Communities (Grants)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants his Department has made in each of the last three years to organisations linked to faith communities; for what purposes; and what conditions are attached to funds.

Paul Goggins: Detailed information on all grants made to organisations linked to faith communities is not held centrally within the Home Office; to gather all of this would incur disproportionate costs. Details of recent grants made by the Communities Group in the Home Office are available.
	In 200405 the former Faith Communities Unit awarded the following grants to organisations for a range of capacity building projects:
	An-Nisa Society (50,000)
	Muslim Council of Britain (148,160)
	The Inter Faith Network (32,525 and 115,000 strategy grant)
	United Religions Initiative (7,450)
	School Development Support Agency (17,500)
	Karimia Institute (21,750)
	British Sikh Consultative Forum (23,500)
	Network of Sikh Organisations (6,300)
	Muslim Youth Helpline (28,578)
	Hindu Council UK (35,400)
	The Festival of Muslim Cultures (46,000)
	In this current year the Cohesion and Faiths Unit have made grants to the following organisations:
	Women's National Commission (83,700)
	British Muslim Research Centre (50,000)
	Christian Muslim Forum (131,000)
	The Multi Faith CentreUniversity of Derby (48,400)
	Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques (5,000)
	All grants awarded by the Home Office are subject to standard conditions (which are the same as those applied to other grants awarded by public bodies) and are conditional on the organisation completing the project within an agreed timescale. The Home Office have also this year launched the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund. The assessment process is currently under way and we expect that successful organisations will be awarded grants in February 2006.

Fireworks

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many penalty notices have been issued in relation to the illegal use of fireworks by each police force area in Wales since the relevant legislation was introduced.

Hazel Blears: Offences under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 (made under section 11 of the Fireworks Act 2003) for breach of the national fireworks curfew, the illegal possession of category four fireworks and the possession by a person under 18 of an adult firework attract penalty notices for disorder, as does the offence of throwing fireworks. The offence of throwing fireworks has been included in the penalty notice for disorder scheme since it was introduced nationally during 2004. The offences under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 were brought into the scheme with effect from 11 October 2004. The numbers of penalty notices issued by police force areas in Wales are provided in the table.
	
		Number of penalty notices for disorder issued for fireworks offences, Wales, 2004 and January-August 2005 provisional figures
		
			  Throwing fireworks Breach of fireworks curfew Possession of a Category 4 firework Possession by under 18 of adult firework 
			 Police force area 2004 January-August 2005 2004 January-August 2005 2004 January-August 2005 2004 January-August 2005 
		
		
			 Dyfed-Powys 1 1   
			 Gwent 1 3 1 1 1
			 North Wales 8 7 1 1 1
			 South Wales 
			 Total 10 11 2 1 1 1 1  
		
	
	Source:
	RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Imitation Firearms

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have received a prison sentence for carrying an imitation firearm in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The offence of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place without reasonable excuse was created by an amendment to section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 which was introduced by section 37(1)(d) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The new offence came into force on 20 January 2004.
	Since the amendment, the sentencing statistics include data on the new offence under a code that also covers airweapons. Therefore we are unable to provide data for imitation firearms alone. In 2004, 358 people were sentenced for carrying a loaded or unloaded imitation firearm or airweapon in a public place. Of these, 29 were given a custodial sentence.

Forensic Science Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the national targets are for the Forensic Science Service; and what the performance of relevant offices in Devon and Cornwall has been against those targets.

Andy Burnham: The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has a number of national targets; these are set out in the table.
	The FSS does not have a laboratory or offices in Devon and Cornwall.
	
		
			  Measure 200506 targets 
		
		
			 1 Risk adjusted return on capital (ROCE) 15 per cent. ROCE 
			 2 Real reduction in charges versus average earnings index (AEI) 75 per cent. AEI 
			 3 Investment in development work per cent. turnover 10 per cent. 
			 4 External funding for Research and Development 500,000 
			 5 Percentage of cases with FSS case officer 100 per cent. 
			 6 Deliver training to police and CPS Customer satisfaction 
			 7 Percentage fast track processing of DNA samples 20 per cent. 
			 8 Average time to analyse and inform customers of DNA intelligence crime scene stain results on database (normal track cases) (78)5 days 
			 9 Per cent. of target eight delivered in less than 10 days (78)95 per cent. of intelligence crime stains delivered 10 days 
			 10 Average time to analyse and inform customers of DNA suspect sample results on database (normal track cases) (78)5 days 
			 11 Per cent. of target 10 delivered in less than eight days (78)95 per cent. of CJs delivered 8 days 
			 12 Per cent. of work delivered in less than 33 days 95 per cent. of work delivered in less than 33 days 
			 13 Maintain ISO accreditation Maintain accreditation 
			 14 Investors in People Establish processes and behaviours to retain IIP in 200607 
			 15 Maintain diversity programme Maintain 
		
	
	(78) These figures include one day for the Custodian.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate the Government has made of the percentage of check points of identity cards that will (a) check all the biometrics and (b) consist of human face-to-face checks; and whether this has been accounted for in the Government's cost-benefit analysis of the scheme.

Andy Burnham: Primarily, it will be a decision for the user organisation in question to decide if a biometric verification or simple visual verification is necessary, depending on the transaction and their previous relationship with the individual in question. The Home Office has conducted research with potential users of identity services with regard to preferred types of verification method. This was conducted independently by Taylor Nelson Sofres and the report Identity CardsAn assessment of awareness and demand for the Identity Cards Scheme is available in the Library and on the Identity Cards websitewww.identitycards.gov.uk
	Estimates of the volumes of the different methods the Identity Cards Scheme will offer of verifying identity have been made for the purposes of the business case. Human face-to-face checks, where only a visual verification of the card against the person presenting it is made, are not included in these figures as these do not constitute a check against the register and do not incur any costs.

Immigration Appeal

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department has made in handling the immigration appeal submitted by Mrs. J.B. of Aylesbury, reference B1148496; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	Officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of the Home Office have confirmed that the appeal of a Mrs. J.B. was received at their Appeals Processing Centre on 12 January 2005.
	Appeals arising from a claim refused by the Home Office prior to 4 April 2005 were lodged first, in accordance with the tribunal's procedure rules, with the decision maker before being transferred to the tribunal to be determined by an immigration judge.
	The appeal papers are expected to be sent to the AIT within the next five working days. Under current listing arrangements, the appeal will be listed for hearing 28 days after receipt at the tribunal.

Immigration Detainees

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inter-detention estate transfers of immigration detainees were made in (a) 199798, (b) 200102, (c) 200203, (d) 200304 and (e) 200405; how many have been made in 2005 to date; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The figures for the number of inter-detention estate transfers of immigration detainees in 199798 are not available.
	In 200102, there were 30,334 such transfers, in 200203, 35,656; in 200304, 41,477 and in 200405, 54,670. During 2005 to date 31,730 inter-detention estate transfers have been made. These statistics cover all inter-detention movements of detainees including those from prisons, police cells and port holding rooms into Immigration Removal Centres.

IMPACT

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 12 September 2005, Official Report, columns 256768W, on IMPACT, if he will break down the 7.1 million (a) spent and (b) committed by main budget heading; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is as follows:
	Technical delivery projects: 2,254,000
	Programme definition and development of business case: 3,754,000
	Central Services and Programme Support: 1,118,000
	The above figures relate to actual spend. It is not possible to differentiate retrospectively between spend and commitment at that time.

International Events (Policing Costs)

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding, in (a) cash, (b) real and (c) percentage terms, was made available by his Department to (i) the Metropolitan police and (ii) other police forces in England and Wales to fund the policing of international summits, conferences and state visits hosted by Her Majesty's Government since 1997, broken down by event.

Hazel Blears: The following table shows the extra funding for the policing of international summits, conferences and state visits for police forces in England and Wales since 1997. The Metropolitan Police Service have not received extra funding. They receive a special payment as part of annual police grant, in respect of London's unique national, international and capital city functions.
	
		
			   Force Amount of Government special grant ( million) 
			 International Summit   Cash Real Terms [200405 prices]1 
		
		
			 199899 G8 Summit West Midlands 1.175 1.345 
			 199899 G8 Summit Staffordshire 0.179 0.205 
			 199899 EU Summit South Wales 2.986 3.419 
			 200001 NATO Annual Summit West Midlands 0.170 0.188 
			 200304 UN Progressive Governance Conference Surrey 0.818 0.835 
			 200405 G5 Summit Derbyshire 0.038 0.038 
			  
			 Party Conferences 
			 199798 Labour Party Conference Sussex 0.750 0.881 
			 199798 Conservative Party Conference Lancashire 0.750 0.881 
			 199899 Labour Party Conference Lancashire 0.750 0.859 
			 199899 Conservative Party Conference Dorset 0.750 0.859 
			 19992000 Labour Party Conference Dorset 1.581 1.775 
			 19992000 Conservative Party Conference Lancashire 0.892 1.002 
			 200001 Labour Party Conference Sussex 1.660 1.840 
			 200001 Conservative Party Conference Dorset 0.900 0.998 
			 200102 Labour Party Spring Conference South Wales 0.275 0.297 
			 200102 Labour Party Conference Sussex 1.810 1.958 
			 200102 Conservative Party Conference Lancashire 1.072 1.159 
			 200203 Labour Party Conference Lancashire 1.500 1.572 
			 200203 Conservative Party Conference Dorset 0.894 0.937 
			 200304 Labour Party Spring Conference Greater Manchester 0.500 0.511 
			 200304 Labour Party Conference Dorset 2.250 2.298 
			 200304 Conservative Party Conference Lancashire 1.200 1.225 
			 200405 Labour Party Spring Conference Northumbria 1.440 1.440 
			 200405 Labour Party Conference Sussex 3.303 3.303 
			 200405 Conservative Party Conference Dorset 1.185 1.185 
			 200506 Conservative Party Conference Lancashire 1.400 1.366 
			 200506 Labour Party Conference Sussex 3.600 3.512 
			  
			 State visits 
			 200304 President Bush State Visit Durham 0.800 0.817 
		
	
	(79) Real terms at 200405 prices using GDP deflator at 28 September 2005
	Note:
	Full details of the proportion of costs met by grant are unavailable, but have varied with the circumstances of each case.

Internet (Improper Use)

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 12 September 2005, Official Report, column 2845W, on improper use of the internet, when he expects all associated contractual activities to be completed for the business case; and what these contractual activities are.

Hazel Blears: The IMPACT programme (Information Management, Prioritisation, Analysis, Co-ordination and Tasking) is likely to involve tendering for a variety of contracts over the lifetime of the programme which, as reported in the second progress report on the Bichard inquiry recommendations (Home Office, 7 November 2005), may not be completed until 2010, depending on the strategic options chosen.
	However, it is intended to publish the existing outline business case, or extracts relating to specific procurements, before then, as commercial sensitivity permits, but it is not presently possible to say exactly when this might be.

LD50 Test

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of acute lethal toxicity tests in 2004 involving the LD50 test carried out according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development test guideline 401.

Andy Burnham: No acute lethal toxicity procedures recorded in the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals 2004 (Cm 6713) involved LD50 tests carried out according to the former Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Test Guideline 401. Test Guideline 401 was deleted by the OECD on 20 December 2002. A copy of Cm 6713 is in the Library.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

Charles Clarke: Costs are outlined in the following table.
	
		
			  Gross () 
		
		
			 200506 (80)163,804 
			 200405 244,369 
			 200304 250,547 
			 200203 251,232 
			 200102 (81)207,859 
			 200001 (82)167,800 
			 19992000 123,939 
			 199899 125,127 
		
	
	(80) Up to 30 November 2005.
	(81) The Home Office press office and the Prison Service press office merged in May 2001.
	(82) The Home Office press office was expanded in 2000, following an external consultant's review of its staffing and operation in 1999, to better meet the demands of the media.

Mr. Peter Bolton

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the cost to public funds of the prosecution of Mr. Peter Bolton, former deputy clerk to the North Wales Police Authority.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office is responsible for allocating funding to police authorities but it is for them to decide along with the chief constable how these funds are deployed. The activities of police authorities are subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were received regarding the recruitment process for National Criminal Intelligence Service posts at the regional office in Belfast advertised in autumn 2003; and whether changes have been implemented as a result.

Hazel Blears: Four complaints were received regarding the recruitment process for National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) posts at the regional office in Belfast advertised in autumn 2003.
	Following a thorough review, NCIS procedures were revised to ensure all guaranteed interview scheme applicants who met the minimum published criteria would be interviewed.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disability recruitment guidelines were applied in the recruitment process for National Criminal Intelligence Service posts at the regional office in Belfast advertised in autumn 2003.

Hazel Blears: The National Criminal Intelligence Service followed guidance provided by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland during the recruitment process in Belfast in autumn 2003.

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions use has been made of the powers available to him under section 58(3)(b) of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Since April 2002, 8583 volunteers have returned to their country of origin under the Immigration and Nationality Department's Assisted Voluntary Return schemes. All of these volunteers are received by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) officials in their country of origin. All of them are entitled to receive assistance with their onward domestic transportation. All of the volunteers have received assistance in regard to expenses incurred by or on behalf of a voluntary leaver, or a member of his family or household, on or shortly after arrival in his new place of residence.

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use has been made of the powers available to him under sections 58 and 59 of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 in relation to persons returned to (a) Angola and (b) the Congo.

Tony McNulty: Under the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme, 78 asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers have returned to Angola, six to Congo (Brazzaville) and 20 to the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire).

Passports

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports have been reported (a) stolen and (b) lost (i) in each of the last three years and (ii) to date in 2005.

Andy Burnham: The numbers of passports reported as (a) lost or (b) stolen for the last three years are as follows:
	
		
			  Combined total Lost Stolen Other 
		
		
			 2002 166,358
			 2003 184,301
			 2004 275,040 212,745 50,737 11,558 
			 2005 (current) 262,645 211,112 42,220 10,313 
		
	
	The figures for 2002 and 2003 are based on applications for replacement passports, and may not accurately reflect all passports that were lost or stolen in those years. The figures for 2004 and 2005 have been collated from new arrangements, introduced from 8 December 2003, that more accurately record the numbers of passports reported to the UK Passport Service (UKPS) as lost or stolen. The figure for 2004 supersedes a figure released in a response to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) on 18 October. Other includes passports reported as damaged or destroyed.

Passports

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2319W, on passports, how many of those whose passport photographs were rejected were under five-years-old; and whether he plans to change the categories of rejection for the passport photographs of the under-fives.

Andy Burnham: During the period 12 September to 27 November 2005, 15,441 child passport applications were rejected due to photographic standards for children five and under.
	On 21 November 2005, the UK Passport Service (UKPS) simplified its photograph standards for children aged five and under. It remains important that the photograph shows a clear image that is a true likeness of the child, with all facial features clearly visible. However, photographs of children five years and under will be accepted if they show the child smiling or frowning, with their mouth open, their eyes looking away from the camera, and reflection or glare on their glasses. Babies under one year do not need to have their eyes open.
	Work is in progress to communicate these simplified requirements to customers. On 22 November 2005 a notice was added to the UKPS website regarding passport photograph standards.

Police

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the composition of newly established police authorities will be determined following the amalgamation of two or more police forces.

Hazel Blears: In order to effectively discharge their functions, we envisage strategic police authorities having no more than some 23 members (as in the case of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA)).
	To maintain democratic legitimacy, I would expect the majority of police authority members to be local councillors, as now. Councillor members will be selected by the constituent county and unitary councils in the police force area. As envisaged in the Policing White Paper'Building Communities, Beating Crime' we will seek to broaden the skills and experience of police authority members by removing the separate category of magistrate members.
	We will work with the Association of Police Authorities (APA) to determine a more streamlined method of appointing independent members. We would expect all police authority members to bring appropriate skills and competencies to the role to enable them to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
	We will also strengthen accountability at a local Basic Command Unit (BCU)/Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) level so that local communities can effectively hold newly developed forces into account. One promising way of achieving this is through the development of local policing boards. The policing boards would be responsible for setting local policing priorities in consultation with communities and holding the BCU commander to account for the delivery of the policing plan for that area.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis is for his Department's view that there is a lack of co-operation between (a) Merseyside and Cheshire police forces and (b) the North Wales police force and the four police forces in Wales.

Hazel Blears: The consultation process is well under way and once the process has been completed we will carefully assess all options submitted to us and a decision will be made on the preferred option in the new year. As we are in the consultation phase and forces and authorities have not yet worked up business cases outlining their preferred options, we cannot comment on how police forces and authorities are co-operating. The Home Office in its guidance and subsequent correspondence on restructuring to forces/authorities has actively encouraged joint working, collaboration and data sharing on the restructuring programme.

Police

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has evaluated on the number of people who die as a consequence of police forces not attending an incident in time.

Hazel Blears: Although the Home Office has not evaluated any research specifically on the number of people who die as a consequence of police forces not attending an incident in time, it has used findings from the Metropolitan police's research: Multi-agency domestic violence murder reviews to inform the development of multi-agency reviews for domestic violence homicide which are to be established as part of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.

Police

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many internal communication systems are used by the police forces in the South West; how he would unify them in the event of an amalgamation; and what the cost could be.

Hazel Blears: As part of developing the options for change police forces and authorities are expected to submit worked up business cases including cost benefit analysis of IT systems. It is up to police forces and authorities to develop how systems will be unified and to calculate the associated costs. The unification will be further worked up in the implementation phase after final submissions from police authorities have been assessed.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are per head of population in each police force; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The data requested is available from the 'Police Service Strength publication as at 31 March 2005'. This report was published on 25 July 2005 and is available in the Library of the House and on:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1205.pdf

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many resignations there were from each police force in England and Wales for (a) medical and (b) other reasons in (i) 200203 and (ii) 200304.

Hazel Blears: Figures collected by the Home Office on medical retirements and voluntary resignations by force are set out in the following table.
	
		Police officers leaving due to medical retirement or voluntary resignation, by police force area(83).
		
			  31 March 2003 31 March 2004 
			 Police force Medical retirements Voluntary resignations Medical retirements Voluntary resignations 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 34 55 10 54 
			 Bedfordshire 7 30 1 39 
			 Cambridgeshire 8 27 4 22 
			 Cheshire 27 11 15 24 
			 Cleveland 18 1 11 19 
			 Cumbria 7 9 4 12 
			 Derbyshire 12 16 2 24 
			 Devon and Cornwall 10 31 6 23 
			 Dorset 3 19 9 19 
			 Durham 12 11 6 16 
			 Essex 22 46 16 39 
			 Gloucestershire 13 22 5 17 
			 Greater Manchester 33 108 10 126 
			 Hampshire 11 45 11 68 
			 Hertfordshire 7 49 3 58 
			 Humberside 10 34 2 28 
			 Kent 21 54 9 64 
			 Lancashire (84) (84) 13 39 
			 Leicestershire 9 27 6 35 
			 Lincolnshire 10 15 3 16 
			 London, City of 7 19 8 7 
			 Merseyside 51 28 25 36 
			 Metropolitan Police 156 605 60 563 
			 Norfolk 13 17 6 12 
			 Northamptonshire 3 11 3 26 
			 Northumbria 29 36 9 51 
			 North Yorkshire 9 13 8 19 
			 Nottinghamshire 34 43 12 15 
			 South Yorkshire 13 45 12 47 
			 Staffordshire 22 30 14 26 
			 Suffolk 12 19 S 28 
			 Surrey 12 35 10 34 
			 Sussex 9 73 4 126 
			 Thames Valley 29 82 17 73 
			 Warwickshire 8 17 4 20 
			 West Mercia 20 21 11 36 
			 West Midlands 21 106 13 154 
			 West Yorkshire 23 50 11 67 
			 Wiltshire 13 34 2 19 
			 Dyfed-Powys 11 11 7 6 
			 Gwent 22 10 8 14 
			 North Wales 16 19 6 45 
			 South Wales 33 35 14 21 
			 Total 43 forces 840 1,969 418 2,187 
		
	
	(83) This table contains headcount figures that have not been published.
	(84) These figures are unavailable.

Police

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department issues to police forces relating to recruitment and promotion of minorities.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has not issued specific guidance on the promotion of minority groups. However, the Breaking Through Action Plan: Promoting Minority Ethnic Employment in the Police Service was launched by the Home Office in January 2004. In addition, we expect forces to monitor promotions in accordance with their equality employment monitoring duties.
	Overall guidance in terms of recruitment procedures is issued as part of the National Recruitment Standards.
	In terms of specific guidance to forces on the recruitment of ethnic minorities, we have published a 'Toolkit' for running positive action familiarisation events in July 2005. I will place a copy of this in the Library.
	The Home Affairs Select Committee recently looked at whether the law should be changed to allow for positive discrimination. They concluded that the best way forward would be for the police service to work harder within the limits of current legislation through promotion and outreach activities and for the Home Office to explore whether, without changing the law, we could prioritise certain skills and knowledge relevant to policing needs which would have the effect of winning the confidence of communities and would also help to reduce crime and disorder.
	We are looking into this with the intention of issuing guidance to forces in April 2006.

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of officers in the Metropolitan Police carry radios capable of accessing the Airwave network.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally.

Police

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average response time to an emergency call to the police was in (a) Ruislip-Northwood constituency and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary (HMIC) collects target times for answering 999 calls and the percentage answered within that time at force level only. This data is published in HMICs annual report at http://inspectorates. homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/about-us/annual-reports.html

Police

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether additional funding would be available from his Department to the Norfolk constabulary in the event of its merger with other forces.

Hazel Blears: We will be considering grant arrangements for police authorities in the light of changes to police authority boundaries and of the way the new larger authorities might operate.
	I announced details of the provisional police funding settlement for 200607 and 200708 on 5 December. As part of overall support for policing, I am proposing to take account of prospective force amalgamations when allocating capital grant over the coming two years.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants to the police force in each of the last five years had (a) an upper second or better degree, (b) a lower second or lower degree and (c) no A-level qualifications.

Hazel Blears: Of the 5,801 applicants who were successful at the national assessment centre between 1 November 2004 and 30 September 2005:
	
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Post Graduates 178 3 
			 Graduates 1,791 31 
			 Educated to A-level Standard 2,039 35 
			 Educated to GCSE Standard 1,697 29 
			 No formal qualification 93 1.6

Police

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Staffordshire police force concerning the proposed merger of police forces in the area.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has not received any such representations from forces or authorities for force amalgamations. The review announced by the Home Secretary in September is still under way. Final proposals from forces and authorities will be submitted by 23 December 2005. The Home Secretary's written ministerial statement on the 11 November 2005 sets out some emerging options across England and Wales. However, ultimately it will be a matter for the police authorities to determine which options are included in their final submissions.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis is for his Department's view that police forces of fewer than 4,000 officers are (a) less qualified to deal with organised crime and (b) less efficient than large forces; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information is as follows:
	(a) Forces with fewer than 4,000 officers generally do not have the capacity and capability to deal with level two crime including organised crime. Smaller forces can not usually create dedicated major incident teams to deal with organised crime. This is evidenced in work done by both Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary (HMIC) and independent experts.
	(b) Creating strategic forces should ensure brigading of resources takes place, leading to savings and greater efficiency and effectiveness. Duplication of services such as fire arms team and dedicated murder investigation teams should be avoided. Larger forces should also be able to maintain their neighbourhood policing teams and avoid abstraction of officers to deal with major investigations or incidents elsewhere in the force area.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis is for his Department's view that police forces of fewer than 6,000 employees are less efficient than those with higher manning levels.

Hazel Blears: As part of Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary (HMIC) report work was done by independent experts who demonstrated that size is a major factor in determining whether a force can not only perform satisfactorily in protective services but also insulate against underperformance.
	HMIC's analysis concluded there is clear and evident statistical data to demonstrate this. A minimum figure of between 4,000 and 5,000 could reasonably be expected to meet demand across the range of activities. The 4,000 figure was chosen as a starting point for restructuring. In light of the above forces with fewer than 6,000 staff simply do not have the critical mass to provide the necessary level of protective services.

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of policing in Southend was in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how much of the cost was met from (a) council tax and (b) central Government.

Hazel Blears: The chief constable of Essex police is responsible for the operational management of the force. I will ensure that he receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly.

Police

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time was for a disclosure application to be processed by the Metropolitan Police in the last year for which figures are available; and how many disclosure applications are waiting to be processed by the Metropolitan Police.

Hazel Blears: The average time taken by the Metropolitan Police Service to process a Disclosure application for the year November 2004 to October 2005 was 33.57 days. By 28 November 2005 the number of applications waiting to be processed had dropped to 79,575 applications. The Metropolitan Police have made a number of changes to their IT systems recently which has led to significant and ongoing improvements in the time they are taking to deal with Disclosures referred to them by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Preventing Extremism Together

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) role, (b) remit and (c) structure the Preventing Extremism Together working groups will have following the submission of their reports.

Paul Goggins: The Preventing Extremism Together working groups were disbanded after their final report was published in November.

Prison/Resorative Justice

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the effectiveness of (a) prison and (b) restorative justice is measured; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The effectiveness of prison is subject to measurement by two public service agreement (PSA) targets. The first target is to maintain the level of escapes from prison and prison escorts to less than 0.17 percent. of the prison population and to ensure no escapes of category A prisoners.The most recent data show a rate of 0.025 percent. of the prison population. There has been no escape of a category A prisoner since 1995.
	The second PSA target is to reduce the re-offending of offenders discharged from prison or starting community sentences by 5 percent., from a 2000 baseline. This is to be achieved by 2006. The most recent data are for adult offenders discharged from prison or starting a community sentence in 2001 and show a reduction of -1.8 percent. against the target. Owing to the administrative resources involved, these results are based on a sample of offenders from the first quarter of the calendar year.
	The most common measure of the effectiveness of restorative justice (RJ) is re-offending rates (measured through reconviction rates, or sometimes re-arrest or re-sanctioning rates) and victim and offender satisfaction. Final results (including reconviction rates) from a large scale evaluation of three RJ schemes will be available in 2007.

Prisons

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the prison population are serving their first custodial sentence.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the proportion of the prison population serving their first custodial sentence is not routinely collated. The Social Exclusion Unit's 2002 report 'Reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners' reported some results from internal Home Office research. This indicated that, in 1999, one third of adult male prisoners were serving their first custodial sentence.

Probation Services

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether faith-based organisations will be able to secure contracts for the end-to-end management of offenders as part of his proposals for reform of the probation service.

Fiona Mactaggart: Changes to the way in which probation services are provided will result in regional offender managers (ROMs) commissioning services from probation boards from April 2006. As this process develops, and subject to legislation, it is expected that ROMs will commission correctional services from a range of public, private and voluntary and community sector providers.
	As part of this process different organisations can seek to provide services, including offender management services. Decisions in every case will be made on merit on who offers the best service for the moneythrough impartial and objective evaluation successful bids will need to comply with the terms of the contract.

Quad Bikes

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of quad bikes available to police forces to tackle criminal and antisocial behaviour.

Hazel Blears: Management of resources, including decisions on procurement of vehicles, are operational matters for the police authority and chief officer.

Racial Hatred

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he issues to police forces on dealing with incidents of incitement of racial hatred, with particular reference to cases involving the display of the St. George flag.

Hazel Blears: While it is not of itself unlawful to display any flag there are legislative powers to deal with those who cross the line from legitimate debate into inciting violence. A Code of Practice on the reporting and recording of racist incidents was issued in 2000. A racist crime and harassment toolkit was published in 2005.

Religious Hatred

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to collect centrally statistics on cases of religious hatred.

Paul Goggins: Incitement to religious hatred is not currently a criminal offence. Should it become so, the number of prosecutions and convictions would be centrally collected.

Rural Crime

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking (a) to tackle rural crime and (b) to improve detection rates in rural areas.

Hazel Blears: Effective and responsive policing at neighbourhood level, as well as robust partnership working, are both essential parts of our strategy to tackle crime and to sustain the confidence and trust of the public in all parts of the country.
	We introduced the rural policing fund in 200001 specifically to enhance the visibility and accessibility of policing in rural areas. 31 police authorities with the most widespread populations have benefited from this additional funding. The annual allocation is 30 million. As part of the provisional police funding settlement for 200607 and 200708, we have decided to consolidate four specific grants, including the rural policing fund, into a single provision for each police authority to give authorities more control over how this money may be used. We do not intend to abolish or reduce rural grant allocations. Each authority will receive its current level of funding from the four grants.
	We have made a commitment that, by 2008, every area in England and Wales, rural as well as urban, will benefit from dedicated neighbourhood policing teams. These will be led by Police officers and involve special constables, community support officers, volunteers and neighbourhood wardens, amongst others.
	The Government acknowledges the need to improve sanction detection rates across all police forces. For that reason, a major drive has been under way since last summer with the aim of achieving a significant increase in sanction detection rates. This includes a range of operational improvements intended to build the investigative capability of the police service, together with some targeted support for forces with performance concerns.

Secure Establishments

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the ratio of staff to residents is in (a) Home Office secure establishments, (b) secure training centres and (c) local authority secure accommodation.

Fiona Mactaggart: In Prison Service juvenile young offender institutions, for each member of staff the number of young people varies between 0.4 and 1.4. (These figures include all staff working in the establishment. Where a juvenile establishment shares a site with a young offenders institute for 1820 year olds, the ratio is based on the combined figures for both staff and inmates.)
	In secure training centres, the ratio of staff directly supervising the young people is: one member of staff to between 2.5 and 3.5 children. In addition, there are custody officers on site to cover admissions, movements and supervision of visits.
	In local authority secure children's homes, the ratio of staff directly supervising the young people is: one member of staff to between 1.3 and two children.

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance on lone protesters in relation to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: No. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act is clear. Within a public place in the designated area, any person who organises a demonstration, or takes part in a demonstration or carries on a demonstration by himself, is guilty of an offence if authorisation for the demonstration has not been given by the Commissioner.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the number of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) will be increased; and if he will establish a SARC in Devon.

Hazel Blears: There are currently 13 Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in England and Wales. Additionally, three new SARCs, in Calderdale, Kirklees and Cleveland will be opening in the new year with the support of funding from the Home Office Victims' Fund. We have also made offers of a further three grants, which if accepted, will result in another three SARCs in the next year.
	The decision to establish a SARC in a particular area must be made locally as they are funded primarily by partnerships between the local police, health services and the voluntary sector. National Service Guidelines on Developing SARCs, published jointly by the Home Office and Department of Health in 2005 strongly recommend the development of SARCs across England and Wales.

Steven Shingler

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will examine the case of the hon. Member for Shrewsbury's constituent, Mr. Steven Shingler, with a view to allowing Mr. Shingler's Russian wife to join him in the UK.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	I regret that I cannot provide this information as it is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. However, my noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, will write to the hon. Member in his capacity of Minister with responsibility for UK Visas about the case shortly.

Stun Guns

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of violence involving the use of stun guns there were in (a) England and Wales and (b) the South West in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Statistics for crimes involving stun guns have only been collected separately since April 2004. Full data for 200405 is not yet available but will be published in 'Violent Crime Overview, Homicide and Gun Crime 200405', in January 2006.

Stun Guns

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire, (d) Greater London and (e) England and Wales he has authorised to have stun guns.

Hazel Blears: Stun guns are prohibited weapons and can only be possessed with the authority of the Secretary of State under section five of the Firearms Act 1968. Only one authority to possess a stun gun has been issued in England and Wales.
	In addition, two authorities have been issued for lasers in England and Wales for supply to the police only. The Taser is deployed in 34 police forces in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police, Essex Police and the Hertfordshire Constabulary. The Taser is limited to use by Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), and in situations where a firearms authority has been given.
	It is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police to determine the number of authorised firearms officers in their force. During 200405, the Metropolitan Police Service had 2,134 Authorised Firearms Officers, City of London 89, Essex 202, and Hertfordshire 53.

Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of the tackling drugs, changing lives conference held between 30 November and 1 December.

Paul Goggins: The tackling drugs changing lives national conference, which was held over two days, was free to delegates, over a 1,000 of whom attended. The event represented a major milestone in the tackling drugs changing lives campaign, which is a ministerial-led programme supporting direct engagement with key stakeholders and partners responsible for delivering the drug strategy across the country.
	The cost to the Home Office of this key event was 311,850.89, a cost per delegate of 304.54.

Terrorism Bill

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions (a) before and (b) after 26 October on which (i) he and (ii) his representatives contacted Kent Police about the Terrorism Bill; and what form that contact took.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to a question from the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace) on 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1436W. Beyond the contact with Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) referred to in that answer, there has been no contact with Kent police about the Terrorism Bill.

UK Jurisdiction

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether passengers on aircraft which land for a period, but who do not disembark at UK airports, fall within UK jurisdiction for the period they are on UK soil.

Tony McNulty: Passengers who remain on board a plane that lands on UK soil, for example to refuel, are regarded as airside transit passengers. Other than the requirement for certain nationalities to hold a direct airside transit visa, passengers are not normally subject to any immigration control until they seek leave to enter the UK.
	An immigration officer may examine anyone who has arrived in the UK, including transit passengers not seeking leave to enter the UK.
	In England and Wales, a constable may arrest a person without a warrant under section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. Section 17 provides a constable with the power to enter and search any premises for the purpose of arresting a person for an arrestable offence. An aircraft falls within the definition of premises.
	Similar provisions exist in Northern Ireland under Article 26 and Article 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
	In Scotland, a constable may detain a person without a warrant under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 where he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence punishable by imprisonment. Section 14 does not contain any power to enter and search premises prior to detention without a warrant. If the police are satisfied that there is evidence that a person or persons have committed a crime, they can arrest them without warrant at common law where that is necessary in the interests of justice.

Unsolved Murders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 1784W, on unsolved murders, if he will make a statement on the increase in unsolved murders since 200001.

Hazel Blears: The data previously provided referred to the position as at 22 October 2004, when the data collection had been closed in preparation for the annual publication 'Crime in England and Wales 200304: Supplementary Volume: Homicide and Gun Crime'. Subsequent court hearings or other information received will change both the number of deaths recorded as homicides, and the number of these that are unsolved, at a particular time. The number of unsolved homicides each year since 200001 should not, therefore, be considered definitive as they are likely to decrease as time elapses.

US Bases (Police Authority)

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what authority UK police forces have in United States military bases situated in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Police in England and Wales have the authority to exercise their constabulary powers anywhere within the borders of England and Wales. This applies to police in Scotland and Northern Ireland and their respective borders.
	Under Article VII of the Agreement regarding the Status of Forces of the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty (SOFA), United States Forces stationed in the United Kingdom have the right to police the premises which they occupy and may take all appropriate measures to ensure the maintenance of order and security on such premises. Where there are no United States policing and security forces present or a significant threat exists from demonstrator activity, the United States Forces have agreed that the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) can undertake the policing task on their behalf.
	The MDP is a statutory British Police Force with constabulary powers as defined in the MDP Act 1987, as amended by the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Although the MDP can exercise these constabulary powers, incidents solely involving United States Forces personnel and associated civilians will normally be handled by the United States authorities in accordance with SOFA.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

0870 Numbers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 443W, on 0870 numbers, what contractual arrangements her Department has for the provision of the non-profit making 0870 lines.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Education and Skills normally obtains non profit making 0870 lines from its current telephone service provider as a published service offering within that contract. The exception to that policy is where advanced notification has been provided of an impending Machinery of Government change and, in these cases, non profit making 0870 numbers are obtained outside of the normal contractual arrangements in order to ease transition to the new Department.

Ability Grouping

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools found to be inadequate by Ofsted in 200405 were found not to be making appropriate use of ability grouping.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not available.

Access Arrangements

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what account is taken by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service of Child Support Agency decisions on payment when advising the courts on access arrangements to the non-resident parent in any particular case.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). Anthony Douglas, the CAFCASS chief executive, will write to the hon. Member with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Anthony Douglas, dated 21 December 2005
	I am writing to you in response to the above Parliamentary Question that you put to the Secretary of State and Education and Skills on 20 December 2005.
	It is my responsibility, as CAFCASS Chief Executive, to reply to this particular Parliamentary Question.
	Recommendations to the courts are based entirely on the best interests of the child and promoting good quality, and ensuring contact with the non-resident parent where it is safe to do so. Decisions made relating to financial payments would only be considered if they had a direct bearing on the welfare of the child.
	I would like to add that CAFCASS is committed to providing a quality service to all its users. CAFCASS believes that the welfare of the child is paramount and any decisions made about a child's future must reflect this principle.

Adult Education (Kent)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funds have been made available in 200506 for adult education courses in Kent; and what percentage change this represents over the previous year.

Bill Rammell: The Government's Skills Strategy, reaffirmed in the White Paper published on the 22 March 2005, sets clear priorities for public funding to support the drive to ensure that employers have the skills they need to be successful, and individuals have the skills they need to be employable and personally fulfilled. Funding for further education (FE) increased by 4.4 per cent. in 2005/06. Funding for non-vocational learning opportunities for adults, delivered mainly through local authority adult education services, has also increased. In 2004/05 we provided over 207 million to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in support of this learning. This has risen to 210 million in 2005/06.
	This funding will enable colleges and other providers to deliver a wide range of learning opportunities to meet the needs of adults in local communities but those who are able to do so will need to pay higher fees in the future. I set out the Government's priorities for the learning and skills sector and the impact on funding in 200607 and 200708 on the 21 October 2005 and full details can be found in 'Priorities for Success' on the LSC's website.
	Total further education funding allocated by the LSC to colleges and other providers in Kent is 107.67 million in 2005/06-up 5 per cent. on 2004/05. Allocations for individual colleges and providers are available on the LSC's website: www.lsc.gov.uk The 2005/06 funding allocations for Personal  Community Development Learning (formerly Adult  Community Learning) have been made to providers but have not yet been published by the LSC.
	My Department does not hold funding figures for college and other providers in Kent. As the level of funding allocations in local areas relates to the LSC's operational responsibilities, Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with further details about Kent's 2005/06 funding. A copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 20 December 2005
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked how many young people in Gravesham have been granted an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received EMA is available at Local Authority level, but not at constituency level. The information relates to academic years.
	By the end of October 2005, 7,872 young people in the Kent Local Education Authority area had received one or more EMA payments in the academic year 2005/06 so far During the academic year 2004/05, 5,317 young people in the Kent Local Education Authority received one or more EMA payments
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question. If you would like further details please contact Chris Bradley at the LSC National Office on 0114 207 4512 or Christopher. bradley@lsc.gov.uk

Adult Guidance Provision

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adult guidance providers are running at a loss.

Phil Hope: Information, advice and guidance services on learning and work for adults are delivered by the Learning and Skills Council through an integrated information and advice service comprising the national learn direct telephone and on-line advice service, and 47 local next step information and advice providers.
	Operational matters relating to the performance of these providers are a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive has written to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 16 November 2005
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in which you asked how many adult guidance providers are running at a loss. Mr Phil Hope referred your question to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for a response to be sent to you directly.
	Adult guidance providers in England are funded through a variety of public and private income streams. It is therefore impossible to ascertain how many operate at a loss.
	However, as part of the LSC procurement process for the provision of adult information, advice and guidance servicesdelivered under the brand name 'nextstep'we undertake a financial risk assessment of potential contractors to ensure financial viability.
	The settlement from the 2004 Spending Review in 200405 enabled the LSC to invest 34,000,000 in the delivery of information and advice services. There are currently 35 'nextstep'contractors who subcontract information and advice services to a further 600 organisations (predominantly from the voluntary and community sector).
	The majority of these providers also access other public funds such as Jobcentre Plus subcontracted provision and European Social funds in addition to private contracts from employers and individuals.

Adult Learning Inspectorate

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she received from business groups on the decision to merge the adult learning inspectorate with Ofsted.

Jacqui Smith: A number of business organisations, including the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors and the British Chambers of Commerce, responded to the consultation A Single Inspectorate for Children and Learners. As part of the consultation Tri-Energy Consulting facilitated for the Department [five] focus group discussions on the consultation questions relating to the adult learning inspectorate. They concluded that
	ultimately, respondents were not attached to ALI per se, but to what they felt ALI offered. If this could be offered in a different way-improved upon, even-they would generally be happy.

Agency Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which she has responsibility in (a) total and (b) each region and (c) London in 200405.

Maria Eagle: The total number of staff employed by Executive NDPBs sponsored by my Department in 200405 was 10,671. Numbers for each nation of the UK and English region, including Greater London are listed as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 UK  
		
		
			 England 9,338 
			 Scotland 1,120 
			 Wales(85) 206 
			 Northern Ireland 7 
			   
			 England  
			 Greater London 1,803 
			 South West 827 
			 South East 733 
			 North West 808 
			 North East 460 
			 West Midlands 1,984 
			 East Midlands 748 
			 East 1,213 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 762 
		
	
	(85) Under the Children Act 2004, the Children And Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) function in Wales was devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government on 1 April 2005.

Broadcast and Print Media Analysis

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the use of broadcast and print media analysis.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not have a policy on the use of broadcast and print media analysis.

Building Schools for the Future

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding has been allocated to schools in Brent under the Building Schools for the Future programme; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Building Schools for the Future (BSF) aims to renew all secondary schools in England in 15 waves of investment starting from this year. Brent has been informed that it may expect to start in the programme in waves seven to nine. Prioritisation in BSF is based on the relative educational and social needs of geographical groups of schools proposed by the authority, which in the case of Brent is for a single project for all its secondary schools. Funding is not allocated until authorities start in the programme, and details of their projects, including a strong educational vision which supports Government priorities, are agreed.

Child Protection Offences

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria social services use in deciding whether to refer alleged child protection offences to the police for investigation.

Maria Eagle: The Government's inter-agency guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children states that whenever the social services department encounters or has a case referred to it which constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence against a child, it should always inform the police at the earliest opportunity. This will enable both agencies to consider jointly how to proceed in the best interests of the child.

Children with Disabilities

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding was allocated for the provision of after school care for children with disabilities in each London borough in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: We are making funding available to all local authorities and schools up to 2008 to support them in setting up and embedding extended services in mainstream and special schools. The Government do not specify how much of this funding should be spent on disabled children. It will be for individual local authorities, in discussion with all schools in their area, to take a strategic approach to developing access to after school care through schools.
	The Extended Schools prospectus issued in June 2005 makes it clear that children with disabilities or special educational needs must be able to access all new services, and schools have a responsibility to ensure this happens. The needs of children in particular schools will vary. Schools will need to work closely with parents to ensure that services are shaped around the needs of children and the wider community.

Class Sizes

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children aged between 11 and 16 years are taught in classes with a pupil-teacher ratio of more than one teacher to (a) 12, (b) 15 and (c) 18 pupils.

Jacqui Smith: Pupil-teacher ratios are not available at class level.
	In January 2005 the within school pupil-teacher ratio for maintained secondary schools was 16.7.
	Information on the number of pupils in secondary schools, in classes taught by one teacher, by class size is shown as follows.
	
		Maintained secondary schools(86)(5508580087): classes as taught by one teacher(88): January 2005
		
			 England 
			  Taught by one teacher 
			  Number of classes Number of pupils 
		
		
			 Classes of size:   
			 One to12 19,997 156,767 
			 13 to 15 10,077 141,705 
			 16 to 18 13,008 221,974 
			 19 plus 100,413 2,587,573 
			 Total 143,495 3,108,019 
		
	
	(86) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(87) Includes secondary schools with a sixth form.
	(88) Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January.
	Source:
	Annual School Census

Class Sizes

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children aged between five and 11 years are taught in classes in state run schools with a size of more than (a) 20, (b) 25 and (c) 28.

Jacqui Smith: The age of individual pupils in classes is not collected centrally. The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools (89) classes as taught by one teacher (90)January 2005
		
			 England 
			  Taught by 1 teacher 
			  Key Stage 1 (91)(5508580092) Key Stage 2 
			  Maintained primary Maintained secondary Maintained primary Maintained secondary 
			  Number of classes Number of pupils Number of classes Number of pupils Number of classes Number of pupils Number of classes Number of pupils 
		
		
			 Classes of size:
			 1 to 20 7,509 126,157 2 40 5,718 90,240 1 16 
			 21 to 25 15,048 350,486 0 0 15,127 355,002 1 23 
			 26 to 28 13,906 376,462 0 0 17,956 486,472 0 0 
			 29 to 30 18,705 554,968 0 0 19,343 572,352 0 0 
			 31+ 695 22,077 1 34 15,340 498,546 1 31 
			 Total 55,863 1,430,150 3 74 73,484 2,002,612 3 70 
		
	
	(89) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(90) Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January.
	(91) Includes reception classes.
	(92) Key Stage 1 classes of 31 or more may contain pupils who have been admitted as exceptions.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Compensation Claims

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the 10 most frequent types of compensation claims made against the education system since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not collect this information.

Consultants

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what change there has been in the use of consultants since the National Audit Office and Department for Education and Skills Internal Audit Report compiled in March entitled Engagement and Use of Consultants in the DfES.

Maria Eagle: Since the issue of the joint Internal Audit/National Audit Office report a range of steps have been taken to enhance the use and monitoring of consultants. These focus mostly on ensuring that managers are better aware of and comply more fully with best practice, including that sound and properly approved business cases are in place and contracts are robustly managed and evaluated. A Good Practice Guide has been produced, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. We are also introducing better arrangements to collect information on consultants, what they are doing, the classification of costs and the implementation of consultants' recommendations.

Consultants

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the trade union side in her Department will receive a copy of the National Audit Office and Department for Education and Skills Internal Audit Report compiled in March 2005, entitled Engagement and Use of Consultants in the DfES.

Maria Eagle: The Department's Trade Union Side are aware that Internal Audit Reports are produced for internal management purposes and are not published. However, emerging findings form the Report were shared with the Trade Union Side in December 2004. An outcome of the report was the publication of a Good Practice Guide on the Engagement and Use of Consultants in the Department. This guidance has been welcomed by the Trade Union Side and is available to all staff via the Department's intranet. A copy of this guide has been placed in the House Library.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood dated 26 October regarding Aston Manor School, Birmingham.

Jacqui Smith: I responded to this letter on 21 December.

Departmental Estate

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the former (a) buildings and (b) land of (i) her Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies, (B) agencies and (C) independent statutory bodies for which her Department is responsible which have been sold since 7 May 1997; what the sale price of each (1) was at the time of sale and (2) is at current prices; and whether the money accrued was (x) retained by her Department and (y) claimed by the Treasury.

Maria Eagle: The information is as follows:
	
		Land and buildings sold by DfES since 7 May 1997
		
			 Property Date of disposal Disposal value () 
		
		
			 Swindon Skillcentre 1 August 1997 1,435,850 
			 Letchworth Skillcentre 1 October 1998 1,500,000 
			 East Lane House Runcorn 6 May 2003 1,300,000 
			 Total  4,235,850 
		
	
	All of the receipts were remitted to Treasury as Consolidated Fund Extra Receipts.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on advertising by (a) her Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which her Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by her Department in each year since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: My Department's expenditure on advertising for the last five years is set out as follows:
	
		
			  Advertising spend ( million) 
		
		
			 199798 7.5 
			 199899 10.0 
			 19992000 11.9 
			 200001 23.9 
			 200102 16.6 
			 200203 11.3 
			 200304 16.9 
			 200405 11.8 
			 200506 (Spend to date) 2.4 
		
	
	All expenditure is exclusive of VAT. It is only possible at disproportionate cost to provide detail of expenditure on advertising for non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies or dependent statutory bodies.

Departmental Expenditure

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many widescreen televisions have been purchased by her Department for use in London Headquarters in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each year.

Maria Eagle: The information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent by her Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the United Kingdom, including London.

Bill Rammell: There is no central record of taxi usage and an assessment of the staff time and associated costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Publications

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the publications from her Department which have been sent to teachers during 2005.

Jacqui Smith: The Department ceased sending publications automatically to schools in England on a phased basis between April and December 2004. Discussions with Head teachers and detailed research showed that schools wanted to be able to choose the printed publications they needed, when they needed them, and to be able to order multiple copies.
	We have given schools this choice by introducing an online ordering system which enables schools to choose whether to download electronic copies or order the paper based publications they need at the right time for them and in the multiples they require. This system is linked directly to the fulfilment service and an existing telephone ordering line. A fortnightly email service to schools informs them of new and important publications.
	This has resulted in schools being able to order a wider variety of publications from the Department, putting schools in direct control of what they receive, when they receive it.

Departmental Report

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 940W, on the departmental report, how much funding was received by each of the programmes aggregated under other miscellaneous programmes in table 12.2 of her Department's 2005 departmental report.

Bill Rammell: The amount of funding allocated in 200506 to each programme aggregated under other miscellaneous programmes in table 12.2 of the Department for Education and Skills 2005 departmental report is shown as follows:
	
		
			  200506 plans (000) 
		
		
			 Schools  
			 Physical Education and Sport 105,000 
			 City Technology Colleges 82,600 
			 Targeted Improvement Grant/Excellence in Cities 18,800 
			 School Enterprise Initiative 61,100 
			 Education Action Zones 32,100 
			 Key Stage Central 53,000 
			 Other programmes to Support Secondary Education 14,000 
			 Teaching and Learning/ Gifted and Talented Pupils 18,700 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 36,400 
			 Inclusion Programmes (including Behaviour and Aim Higher) 14,600 
			 Music and Ballet Scheme 18,300 
			 British Education Communications and Technology Agency 12,000 
			 Premature Retirement Compensation for Teachers in Voluntary Colleges 11,500 
			 Innovations Fund 10,000 
			 Teachers PensionsContractual Costs 9,100 
			 Licensing for School Activities 8,700 
			 School Performance and AccountabilityAssessment team 6,400 
			 Assisted Places Scheme 2,500 
			 Research on School Performance 2,500 
			 Energy Savings Trust and Learning Through Landscapes 500 
			 ICT Development and Evaluation 2,000 
			 Teachers' Medical Fees 1,000 
			 Total 520,800 
			   
			 Higher Education  
			 Student Support Contingency Reserve 132,800 
			 Aim Higher 56,000 
			 Foundation Degree Marketing 18,700 
			 European UniversityInitiative Subscription 2,800 
			 Europe International Services 1,000 
			 College of Europe Bologna Centre 300 
			 European University Institute Bursaries 300 
			 Student Loans Debt Sale Adjustment(93) -6,400 
			 Total 205,500 
			   
			 Support for Children, Young People and Families  
			 Extended Schools 75,000 
			 Vulnerable Children Grant 39,400 
			 Parenting Fund and Activities Supporting Parenting 28,800 
			 Family Fund Trust 22,800 
			 Youth Related Activities 19,800 
			 Special Education Needs including support for Early   Years, Communications Aid Project, Disability Tribunal and Non-maintained Special Schools 31,600 
			 Change Fund 14,600 
			 Teenage Pregnancy 12,000 
			 Information Sharing and Assessment 11,800 
			 Disabled Access: Youth Service 8,000 
			 Communication Unit 7,900 
			 Local Authority Capacity and Intervention 6,000 
			 DirectGov 4,700 
			 Section 64 Grant to Voluntary Sector 4,200 
			 Children's Commissioner 3,000 
			 Publicity 3,000 
			 Participation Fund 2,500 
			 Adoption Services 2,000 
			 Invest to Save Funded Children's Agenda Programmes 1,700 
			 Child Contract Centres 1,700 
			 Child Protection Co-ordinators 1,300 
			 Quality Protects Regional Development Fund 1,300 
			 Total 303,100 
			   
			 Further Education, Adult Learning, Skills and Lifelong Learning 
			 FE Teach Learn Train Bursary 95,500 
			 Student Support 38,000 
			 International Education Programmes 20,300 
			 International Labour Organisation Subscription 9,100 
			 Management Information Across Partners 2,800 
			 Bridging Allowance for 16 to 19-year-olds 1,300 
			 Total 167,000 
			   
			 Activities to Support all Functions  
			 E-portals 1,400 
		
	
	(93) This represents a gain resulting from an adjustment in the calculation of the student loans debt.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 478W and column 321W, on departmental staff, how much was spent by the Learning and Skills Council on the development of basic skills (a) within her Department and (b) in all Government Departments in the last year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: Improving the skills of workers who are delivering public services is a key priority for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and they secure basic skills provision through a range of sources, including further education colleges, to meet local needs. As the information requested is of an operational nature Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with further information. A copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 21 December 2005
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, where you asked how much was spent by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) on the development of basic skills a) within her Department and b) within Government departments generally, in the last year for which figures are available. The Parliamentary Question was referred to the LSC by Bill Rammell for me to write to you with further information.
	The LSC funds colleges and other education and training providers to provide basic skills training to individuals and employers. Whilst the Council has a strategic interest in the total numbers of individuals undertaking basic skills training, we do not routinely collect data on the employers of individual learners. Therefore the Council has no data on any provision of basic skills training to individuals working within government departments (including the Department for Education and Skills). In addition the Council has no agreement for direct funding of basic skills provision within government departments (including the Department for Education and Skills). Neither are we aware of any direct agreement between any of our funded providers and government departments (including the Department for Education and Skills) for the provision of basic skills.

Departmental Staff

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many civil servants in her Department worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: My Department does not monitor the number of staff who work from home centrally and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, within the newly launched 10 point plan Delivering a Diverse Civil Service there is senior leadership commitment to work life balance and all senior civil service (SCS) and feeder grade posts should be available on a flexible working pattern basis unless robust and objective justification is provided.

Disabled Workers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to expand skills training for disabled workers in Coventry; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Hope: holding answer 21 November 2005
	More people than ever before with self-declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities are now engaged in LSC funded education and training with 579,000 learners across the post-16 sector in 200304 at a total cost of around 1.3 billion. We want to work closely with the LSC to continue to break down the barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing quality training. The Learning and Skills Act 2000 places a statutory duty on the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different racial groups, men and women, and between disabled and non-disabled. To support that work, the LSC has introduced Equality and Diversity Impact Measures as a planning tool to promote greater equality of opportunity in both fair access to and outcomes from publicly-funded training.
	Earlier this year, in our White Paper Skills Getting on in business, getting on at work we outlined how the LSC is providing capital funding to support colleges and training providers in making the necessary changes to their accommodation, in order to improve access for disabled learners.
	However, responsibility for the planning and funding of skills training in Coventry, including skills for people with disabilities, is the responsibility of the LSC. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, has written to my hon. Friend with further information. A copy of his letter has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 December 2005
	I am writing to you to follow up the Secretary of Stated answer to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding plans to expand training for disabled workers in Coventry.
	I know that you have recently met again with Mike Bell, the Executive Director for Coventry and Warwickshire to discuss our plans for transforming the LSC. I believe you agreed to meet with Mike after Christmas for a further update on this topic but I know he will be happy to meet with you sooner if you want further details on our plans for provision for learners with disabilities in Coventry and across the West Midlands.
	I am enclosing a copy of the Strategic Review the Secretary of State referred to in her written answer to your question. This was carried out by Coventry and Warwickshire Learning and Skills Council earlier this year and is now being implemented. Mike and his colleagues will be happy to discuss the detail with you.
	I would, however, like to draw your attention to a few points that might help inform a local meeting.
	We have increased our overall budget for learners with learning needs and disabilities from 138 million to 157 million for 20062007 and this will increase again to 181 million in 20072008, rises of 14% and 15% year on year from 2005. These rises are significantly greater than the overall increase in our budget over the same period, which increases by 3% and 5%.
	We are making this additional investment in response to the national review of support for learners with disabilities carried out for us by Peter Little. While the review is still out for consultation and we will need to agree nationally how the LSC's expenditure on learning is matched by what other agencies pay for by way of social and domestic support, we acknowledge that our own contribution must rise. This is because the overall numbers of learners with disabilities are rising as medical advances continue.
	At a time when numbers of young people are falling and 80% of the workforce of 2010 is already in the labour market we regard it as essential that the aspirations and abilities of all learners are supported and developed. Budgets will shortly be allocated to regions and local LSCs, which will then be able to plan support for next year. Coventry and Warwickshire's local review will be of great help to them in allocating resources appropriately.
	We want to get the best support for learners with disabilities by making better use of specialist provision across regions. Mike is leading on this work in the West Midlands and has already begun a review in partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind to look at how we better support this particular group of learners. The same approach will apply to a wider review of all specialist support.
	We are also working with MIND to appoint specialist coordinators to help us work with learners with mental health problems, which will also improve our ability to meet their needs.
	Coventry and Warwickshire LSC chairs the Employment sub-group of the Coventry Learning Disabilities Partnership Board. This group includes representatives from Jobcentre Plus, Connexions, Social Services, Mencap and Henley College and has developed a strategy to improve access to employment for people with learning disabilities.
	The local LSC is also working as part of the newly-formed Children and Young People's Partnership for Coventry to improve progression for younger learners with disabilities into adulthood and employment.
	I will ask Mike to contact you to as soon as possible arrange a meeting to discuss both these issues, and the detail of your question regarding the effectiveness of vocational education.
	Mike will give me feedback once he has met with you, but if you would like any further information before or after your meeting please do contact me.

Drinking Water

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what measures her Department is taking to improve the access of (a) primary and (b) secondary school students to fresh drinking water;
	(2)  what guidance her Department issues to local authorities regarding the provision of drinking water facilities in (a) new build schools and (b) refurbished schools.

Jacqui Smith: The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 apply to all existing and new schools maintained by a local education authority: that is, to nursery, community, community special, foundation, foundation special and voluntary schools, and to pupil referral units. These require that a school shall have a wholesome supply of water for domestic purposes, including a supply of drinking water. The Regulations do not specify how drinking water should be provided for pupils. However, in our guidance note Standards for School Premises (DFEE 0029/2000), we say that those responsible should consider the pattern of demand within schools, which can be concentrated within quite short breaks.
	We give further advice on drinking water supplies in Building Bulletin 87, Guidelines for Environmental Design in Schools (2nd Edition Version 1-May 2003). This gives technical guidance, but also makes it clear that adequate supplies of wholesome drinking water should be accessible to staff and pupils throughout the school day. In addition, it states that all water outlets should be labelled as Drinking or Not for Drinking.

Drinking Water

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make it her policy to ask each primary and secondary school to draw up a school hydration policy, setting out the measures it will take to improve access to fresh drinking water in the school, promote water awareness amongst students and encourage sustainable use of water resources.

Jacqui Smith: We are aware of the importance of children drinking water during the school day and the benefits that it brings. The interactive Food in Schools Toolkit, published jointly by Department of Health and DfES, provides a wide range of guidance, resources and interactive tools to inspire and support schools in taking a whole school approach to healthy eating and drinking, including water provision. The 'Water Provision' guidance supports schools in reviewing and improving current provision and in promoting water consumption.
	The Cross Departmental Healthy Living Blueprint, issued to all schools, brings together all government advice and examples of best practice about healthy eating and drinking in schools. It provides schools with advice on how to improve children's approach to food and drink and exercise, and shows how developing whole school approaches can help bring about significant improvements to the health of children.
	Healthy School Lunches guidance, published by the DfES, contains the Secretary of State's expectation that drinking water should be available to all pupils every day, free of charge. This view is mirrored in the 'Healthy Living Blueprint for Schools', which states that,
	all pupils should have access to drinking water at all times at a number of points around the school, preferably not from taps in the toilets. Pupils should be permitted to carry water with them and consumption encouraged both in class and during break and lunch time .
	The School Meals Review Panel (SMRP) made a reference to drinking water in recommendation 7 of their report-Turning the Tables: There should be easy access to free, fresh, chilled drinking water throughout the school day (paragraph 2.32). The consultation closed on 31 December 2005 and officials are now collating the responses.
	It is the responsibility of headteachers and school's governing bodies to decide when water should be made available. We consider that they are best placed to make these decisions in their role of having responsibility of the day to day running of the school and with their knowledge of the individual circumstances of their pupils.

Education Model (Sweden)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has commissioned into the Swedish education model.

Bill Rammell: The Department, alongside education authorities in Sweden and other member countries of the OECD and the EU, commissions regular international studies of educational attainment from several multilateral research bodies. The picture of the Swedish education system's performance that emerges is mainly strong. Particular strengths are in primary-age reading and in adult literacy; for both, Sweden came first in international studies. For literacy among secondary school pupils Sweden does well but is not one of the leaders, and mathematics performance is average by OECD standards.
	From time to time the Department commissions its own studies of education in other countries, covering aspects of the Swedish model. Because of its strong adult education tradition, Sweden has been chosen as one of the exemplar countries for a study entitled International Comparisons in Further Education, now under way and due to report by mid-February 2006.
	It is not possible to ascribe Sweden's success for certain to the nature of its education system. The Swedish model is broadly similar to that of other Nordic countries, at least as regards schools: start of compulsory education at age 7; all-through schools to age 15; pupil testing to standards determined at school rather than national level; and a high degree of decentralisation across the entire system. Swedish and Finnish performance is consistently strong, while Denmark and Norway with similar systems have mixed results.

Educational Psychologists

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of educational psychologists in English schools have a doctorate in psychology.

Maria Eagle: This information is not collected centrally.

Educational Trips

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will take steps to assist families on low incomes, including those above the income support threshold, with the cost of educational trips.

Jacqui Smith: The consultation on the education outside the classroom manifesto, which endorses all pupils having the opportunity for high quality out-of-classroom educational experiences, will finish at the end of January 2006. The ten working groups will make proposals for action early next year. No decisions have yet been made on assistance for families on low incomes.

Engineering Apprenticeships

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have (a) begun and (b) successfully completed apprenticeships related to engineering in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Phil Hope: Figures for those starting and successfully completing apprenticeships in engineering and related occupations funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) derive from the Individual Learner Record (ILR). This was collated for the first time in 2001/02 (as an Interim ILR) and comparable completions figures are available for the three years from then.
	(a) Table 1 shows the number of starts on apprenticeships or NVQ training done within a work-based learning programme in engineering, technology and manufacturing.
	
		Table 1: Number of starts in LSC funded WBL provision in engineering, technology and manufacturing
		
			  2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 
		
		
			 Advanced Apprenticeships 16,200 16,600 20,600 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 8,000 11,400 15,400 
			 NVQ training 7,700 6,400 4,100 
			 Totalany framework or NVQ 32,000 34,400 40,100 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding.
	(b) Table 2 shows numbers (and proportions) of learners who successfully completed LSC funded apprenticeships or NVQ training done within a work-based learning (WBL) program in engineering, technology and manufacturing.
	
		Table 2: Number of successful completers of LSC funded WBL provision in engineering, technology and manufacturing
		
			  Framework (x) NVQ only (y) NVQ successes (x + y) Total leavers 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number 
		
		
			 Advanced Apprenticeships 2001/02 5,100 35 1,200 8 6,300 44 14,500 
			 Advanced Apprenticeships 2002/03 6,600 45 1,000 7 7,600 52 14,600 
			 Advanced Apprenticeships 2003/04 6,200 43 1,000 7 7,200 50 14,600 
			 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 2001/02 1,300 19 900 13 2,200 32 6,900 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 2002/03 1,900 24 1,100 14 3,000 38 7,800 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 2003/04 2,800 30 1,100 12 3,900 42 9,400 
			 
			 NVQ training 2001/02   4,000 43   9,100 
			 NVQ training 2002/03   3,300 44   7,600 
			 NVQ training 2003/04   3,000 62   4,800 
			 
			 Totalany framework or NVQ 2001/02 12,500 41 30,600 
			 Totalany framework or NVQ 2002/03 13,900 46 29,900 
			 Totalany framework or NVQ 2003/04 14,100 49 28,700 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers and percentages may not add up to totals due to rounding

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many meetings of the EU (a) Socrates Committee, (b) Erasmus sub-committee, (c) Comenius sub-committee, (d) Tempus Committee, (e) Leonardo da Vinci Committee and (f) Advisory Committee on vocational training have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The EU Socrates Committee, the Leonardo da Vinci Committee and the Comenius sub-committee met once each during the UK's presidency of the EU, and there was also one meeting of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training (ACVT). In addition, there was a joint meeting of the Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci Committees. The Erasmus sub-committee also met once but UK officials were not able to attend as a result of a transport strike in Belgium. There was no meeting of the Tempus Committee.
	The United Kingdom was represented by officials of the Joint International Unit for the Department for Education and Skills and Department for Work and Pensions, and an official from the Department for Education and Skills also attended the ACVT meeting. Officials of DG Education and Culture presided over all the meetings. The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.1215 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_600629.pdf

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee for the implementation of the Community action programme concerning co-operation policy in the youth field, including European voluntary service and youth exchanges within the Community and with third countries, (b) Scientific and Technical Research Committee and (c) Euratom Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The EU Youth Programme Committee met once during the UK's Presidency of the EU. Officials of the DG Education and Culture presided over the meeting. The United Kingdom was represented by officials of the Joint International Unit for the Department for Education and Skills and Department for Work and Pensions.
	The other committees fall within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. I understand, however, that the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) met four times during the UK's Presidency of the EU. Officials from DG Research chaired each meeting. Officials from the Office of Science and Technology and DTI's Innovation Group represented the United Kingdom. The Euratom Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee met once during the UK Presidency. The meeting was chaired by an Italian technical representative. Scientific experts from UKAEA represented the UK.
	The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved Administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved Administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.1215 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved Administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.
	A copy is available on the internet at:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_600629.pdf

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many meetings of the EU (a) Advisory Committee on veterinary training, (b) Advisory Committee on training in architecture and (c) Committee on the second general system for the recognition of professional education and training have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: No meetings of the Advisory Committee on veterinary training or the Committee on the second general system were held during the UK presidency. Two meetings of the Advisory Committee on training in architecture took place during the UK presidency. The meetings were chaired by Dr. James Horan (Head of the School of Architecture at the Dublin Institute of Technology). The representatives, on behalf of all UK countries, were Professor James Low (Head of the School of Architecture of the University of Central England, Birmingham) on 30 September 2005 and Dr. Jon Levett (Head of Education, Architects Registration Board) on 15 December 2005.

Examination Results

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the secondary schools where (a) 10 to 20 per cent. and (b) more than 20 per cent. of pupils gained no GCSE or equivalent qualification in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by local education authority; and what percentage of pupils in each school was entitled to free school meals.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The information, for 2004, is provided in the table.
	
		
			 LA name Institution name FSM(94) 
		
		
			 Greater than 20 per cent. of 15-year-old pupils achieving no GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications in 2004 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of Endeavour High School 41 
			 Leicester New College Leicester 27 
			 Nottingham The River Leen School 51 
			  Elliott Durham School 56 
			 Walsall Rushall Community College 45 
			  
			 Between 10 and 20 per cent. (inclusive) of 15-year-old pupils achieving no GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications in 2004 
			 Barnet Whitefield School 33 
			 Barnsley The Elmhirst School 50 
			 Birmingham The International School and Community College, East Birmingham 47 
			  The College High School 55 
			  Shenley Court Specialist Arts College and Sixth Form Centre 42 
			  Kings Norton High School 59 
			  Hodge Hill School 38 
			  Castle Vale School and Specialist Performing Arts College 37 
			 Bolton Withins School 33 
			 Bradford Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College 25 
			  Wyke Manor School 32 
			  Rhodesway School 41 
			  Immanuel CofE Community College 24 
			  Buttershaw High School 35 
			 Brighton and Hove East Brighton College of Media Arts 47 
			 Bristol, City of Withywood Community School 38 
			  Whitefield Fishponds Community School 19 
			  Speedwell Technology College 21 
			  Portway Community School 20 
			  Hengrove Community Arts College 31 
			  Henbury School 30 
			 Buckinghamshire Mandeville Upper School 20 
			 Calderdale South Halifax High School 35 
			 Cheshire Woodford Lodge High School 32 
			 Coventry Woodway Park School and Community College 31 
			  Sidney Stringer Community Technology College 44 
			  Ernesford Grange School and Community College 30 
			 Croydon Selhurst High School for Boys 42 
			 Cumbria Newman Catholic School 20 
			 Derby Sinfin Community School 36 
			  Merrill College 35 
			 Derbyshire Parkside Community School 28 
			 Doncaster The Armthorpe School 11 
			 East Sussex The Grove 22 
			 Enfield Aylward School 39 
			 Essex The Thomas Lord Audley School and Language College 17 
			  Colbayns High School 20 
			  Barstable School 27 
			 Gateshead Thomas Hepburn Community Comprehensive School 45 
			 Halton Halton High School 46 
			 Haringey White Hart Lane Secondary School 50 
			  Gladesmore Community School 54 
			 Hartlepool Brierton Community School (A Specialist Sports College) 26 
			 Hertfordshire Westfield Community Technology College 15 
			  The Highfield School 9 
			  Sir Frederic Osborn School 12 
			  Kings Langley School 7 
			 Hillingdon The Hayes Manor School 39 
			 Islington Islington Arts and Media School 55 
			  Holloway School 51 
			 Kent The Ramsgate School 31 
			  Montgomery School 17 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of Sir Henry Cooper School 39 
			  Pickering High School Sports College 26 
			  Kingswood High School 36 
			  Isaac Newton School 38 
			 Kirklees Birkdale High School 41 
			 Knowsley St. Edmund of Canterbury Catholic High School 55 
			  St. Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, A Specialist Technology College 25 
			  Ruffwood School 46 
			  Knowsley Hey School 38 
			  Higher Side Community Comprehensive School 38 
			  Bowring Comprehensive School 40 
			  All Saints Catholic High School 41 
			 Lancashire Tulketh Community Sports College 32 
			  Skerton Community High School 42 
			  Ribbleton Hall High School 47 
			 Leeds West Leeds High School 33 
			  Primrose High School 58 
			  Intake High School Arts College 27 
			  Cockburn High School 33 
			  City of Leeds School 46 
			  Carr Manor High School 37 
			  Agnes Stewart Church of England High School 45 
			 Leicester Riverside Community College 40 
			  Fullhurst Community College 26 
			 Lewisham Malory School 56 
			 Lincolnshire The Mablethorpe Tennyson High School 22 
			  St. Hugh's CofE Mathematics and Computing College 22 
			  Joseph Ruston Technology College 25 
			  Haven High Technology College 17 
			 Liverpool West Derby School 29 
			  Shorefields School 55 
			  Parklands High School 52 
			  Gateacre Community Comprehensive School 25 
			  Fazakerley High School 35 
			  De La Salle Catholic High School 36 
			  Croxteth Community Comprehensive School 51 
			  Campion Catholic High School 61 
			  Breckfield Community Comprehensive School 56 
			  Anfield Community Comprehensive School 38 
			 Manchester St. Thomas Aquinas RC High School 56 
			  St. Paul's Catholic High School 35 
			  Plant Hill High School 48 
			  Parklands High School 56 
			  Our Lady's RC High School 49 
			  North Manchester High School for Boys 51 
			  Manchester Academy 51 
			  Cedar Mount High School 64 
			 Merton Mitcham Vale School 25 
			 Middlesbrough Unity City Academy 50 
			  Hall Garth School 49 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne West Gate Community College 55 
			  Benfield School 33 
			  All Saints College 41 
			 Norfolk The Park High School 18 
			  The Blyth-Jex School 23 
			 North East Lincolnshire Wintringham School 36 
			 North Tyneside Churchill Community College 28 
			 North Yorkshire Ripon College 11 
			 Northamptonshire Ise Community College 14 
			  Corby Community College 28 
			 Northumberland Hirst High School 25 
			 Nottingham William Sharp School 44 
			  Henry Mellish Comprehensive School 43 
			  Haywood School 38 
			  Hadden Park High School 48 
			  Fairham Community College 29 
			  Big Wood School 24 
			 Nottinghamshire The Wheldon School 19 
			  The Queen Elizabeth's (1561) Endowed School 26 
			  The Newark High School 28 
			  Sherwood Hall School and Sixth Form College 22 
			 Oldham Kaskenmoor School 33 
			 Oxfordshire Peers School 21 
			 Peterborough Hereward Community College 36 
			  Bushfield Community College 22 
			 Portsmouth St Luke's CofE VA Secondary School 36 
			  King Richard Secondary School 30 
			 Reading Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School 14 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Freebrough Community College 29 
			 Rochdale Heywood Community High School 32 
			 Salford The Albion High School 53 
			 Sandwell Langley High School 30 
			  George Salter High School 21 
			 Sheffield Waltheof School 44 
			  The City School 22 
			  Parkwood High School 41 
			  Firth Park Community Arts College 37 
			  Chaucer School 29 
			 Slough Langleywood School 22 
			 Solihull Smith's Wood School 35 
			 Somerset The St. Augustine of Canterbury School 17 
			  East Bridgwater Community School 14 
			 South Gloucestershire The Grange School and Sports College 11 
			 South Tyneside Jarrow School 37 
			 Southampton Bellemoor School 18 
			 Southend-on-Sea The Thorpe Bay School 45 
			 Southwark Kingsdale Secondary School 64 
			 St. Helens Newton-le-Willows Community High School 26 
			  Broadway Community High School 30 
			 Stoke-on-Trent James Brindley High School 20 
			 Sunderland Hylton Red House School 30 
			 Surrey The Matthew Arnold School 9 
			  Jubilee High School 9 
			  Esher CofE High School 15 
			 Tameside Two Trees Community High School 30 
			  Stamford High School 43 
			  Littlemoss High School for Boys 22 
			 Thurrock The Gateway Community College 32 
			 Wakefield Knottingley High School and Sports College 19 
			 Walsall Frank F Harrison Community School 28 
			 Waltham Forest Tom Hood School 37 
			 Wandsworth Battersea Technology College 43 
			 Warwickshire Bishop Wulstan Catholic School 18 
			 Westminster St. George RC School 42 
			 Wiltshire Wyvern College 9 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead Altwood CofE Secondary School 8 
			 Wirral Rock Ferry High School 53 
			 Wolverhampton Deansfield High School 44 
			 Worcestershire Elgar Technology College 20 
		
	
	(94) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals

Excluded Pupils

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have been excluded from schools in (a) Ruislip-Northwood constituency, (b) the London borough of Hillingdon and (c) Greater London in the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The available information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		Maintained primary, secondary and all special schools1, 2: number and percentage of permanent exclusions
		
			  Ruislip-Northwood parliamentary constituency London borough of Hillingdon Greater London England 
			 Academic years 1995/96 to 2003/04 Number of permanent exclusions Percentage of the school population3 Number of permanent exclusions Percentage of the school population3 Number of permanent exclusions Percentage of the school population3 Number of permanent exclusions Percentage of the school population3 
		
		
			 1995/96 n/a n/a 71 0.19 2,250 0.22 12,480 0.17 
			 1996/97 16 0.13 68 0.18 2,190 0.22 12,670 0.17 
			 1997/98 16 0.13 58 0.15 2,030 0.20 12,300 0.16 
			 1998/99 18 0.14 66 0.17 1,780 0.17 10,440 0.14 
			 1999/2000 10 0.08 47 0.12 1,290 0.12 8,320 0.11 
			 2000/01(98) 13 0.10 65 0.16 1,450 0.14 9,140 0.12 
			 2001/02(98) 8 0.06 43 0.10 1,460 0.14 9,540 0.12 
			 2002/03(98) 15 0.11 50 0.12 1,470 0.14 9,290 0.12 
			 2003/04(98) 21 0.15 72 0.17 1,590 0.15 9,880 0.13 
		
	
	n/a = Not available.
	(95) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(96) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.
	(97) The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils, excluding dually registered pupils.
	(98) Some schools are known to have under-reported the number of permanent exclusions in their Annual Schools' Census return, so the Department carried out a data checking exercise at local authority level for which the local authority, regional and England levels are based upon. Information at parliamentary constituency level is based upon returns as recorded by schools, so is known to be incomplete.
	Note:
	Local authority, regional and national totals have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Foundation Schools

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many foundation schools were given notice to improve in each year since 1999.

Jacqui Smith: Ofsted give a school a notice to improve when they judge that it requires significant improvement. This category came into force on 1 September 2005 and it replaced the previous designation of serious weaknesses. 18 primary and 18 secondary foundation schools went into serious weaknesses during the period 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2005. The breakdown by year is shown in the following table together with the total number of primary and secondary schools found to have serious weaknesses for comparison purposes.
	Since 1 September 2005, two primary and four secondary foundation schools have been issued with a notice to improve. This compares with a total of 39 primary and 26 secondary schools that have been placed in this new category.
	
		
			  Number of foundation schools with serious weaknesses Number of schools with serious weaknesses 
			  Primary Secondary Primary Secondary 
		
		
			 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2000 4 2 226 60 
			 1 September 2000 to 31 August 2001 4 2 180 30 
			 1 September 2001 to 31 August 2002 2 3 151 36 
			 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2003 3 3 121 29 
			 1 September 2003 to 31 August 2004 2 3 150 33 
			 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005 3 5 82 21

Further Education

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of course provision is allocated to (a) A-levels and (b) other vocational courses in each college in England.

Bill Rammell: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). We do not agree specific budgets with the LSC for different types of qualifications or budgets for individual colleges and providers. It is for the LSC to determine the most appropriate balance of investment in learning provision, within the funds allocated to it and within the overall framework set by Government. The LSC works closely with Regional Skills Partnerships to ensure that emerging skills needs are identified and addressed. Local LSCs agree development plans with colleges to meet the needs of local communities both of learners and employers.
	This is a matter for the LSC and Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 18 November 2005
	Please find enclosed information relating to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which Bill Rammell has referred to the Learning and Skills Council were you asked 'what proportion of course provision is allocated to a) A-levels and b) other vocational courses in each college in England.
	We have provided you with the total number of courses offered in each college, and the proportion of those which are A-levels. The total number of courses includes vocational courses, although we cannot provide details on the number of 'other vocational courses' as there is no specific category for such courses.

Free School Meals

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils attending maintained (a) grammar schools and (b) comprehensive schools were eligible for free school meals in each year since 1995.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools: number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(99), position as at January each year: England
		
			  Grammar schools All other secondary schools(100) Total secondary schools 
		
		
			 1995
			 Number on roll 122,270 2,866,680 2,988,950 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 4,730 534,710 539,440 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 3.9 18.7 18.0 
			 
			 1996
			 Number on roll 126,770 2,880,170 3,006,940 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 4,800 546,110 550,900 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 3.8 19.0 18.3 
			 
			 1997
			 Number on roll 127,780 2,909,220 3,036,990 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 4,730 548,170 552,900 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 3.7 18.8 18.2 
			 
			 1998
			 Number on roll 129,410 2,939,620 3,069,030 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 4,400 532,670 537,070 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 3.4 18.1 17.5 
			 
			 1999
			 Number on roll 140,010 2,978,270 3,118,280 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 4,320 523,020 527,340 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 3.1 17.6 16.9 
			 
			 2000
			 Number on roll 144,410 3,033,590 3,178,000 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 4,070 519,560 523,630 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 2.8 17.1 16.5 
			 
			 2001
			 Number on roll 145,670 3,081,300 3,226,970 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 3,560 506,120 509,680 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 2.4 16.4 15.8 
			 
			 2002
			 Number on roll 147,790 3,113,140 3,260,930 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 3,260 483,090 486,350 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 2.2 15.5 14.9 
			 
			 2003
			 Number on roll 150,770 3,157,720 3,308,490 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 3,160 475,750 478,920 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 2.1 15.1 14.5 
			 
			 2004
			 Number on roll 152,650 3,174,150 3,326,800 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 3,380 473,910 477,290 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 2.2 14.9 14.3 
			 
			 2005
			 Number on roll 154,100 3,163,490 3,317,590 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(101) 3,300 462,220 465,520 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 2.1 14.6 14.0 
		
	
	(99) Prior to 2003 includes dually registered pupils and excludes boarding pupils; from 2003 onwards includes dually registered and boarding pupils.
	(100) Includes middle deemed, comprehensive, modern, technical and other secondary schools.
	(101) Prior to 2002 numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals were collected at school level. From 2002 onwards these numbers have been derived from pupil level returns.
	Note:
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census.

GCSEs

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the total number of level 2 GCSE equivalent awards were in vocational subjects for each academic year since 200102.

Jacqui Smith: The available information is given in the following table.
	
		Table 1: Results(102) of 15-year-old pupils(103) in Level 2 qualifications for pupils in all schools by type of qualification
		
			 Number of Level 2 qualifications 
			  200405(104) 200304(104) 200203(104) 200102(104) 
		
		
			 Full Course GCSEs(105) 3,035,800 3,016,800 2,894,300 2,846,200 
			 Short Course GCSEs(105)(5508580106) 197,433 192,454 163,045 149,746 
			 GNVQ Full Intermediate(107) 56,888 45,839 33,361 14,318 
			 GNVQ Part one Intermediate   47,100 38,269 
			 GCSEs in Vocational Subjects(105)(5508580106) 54,178 36,503   
			 Basic Skills 6,193 123   
			 Key Skills 5,930 6,581   
			 VRQ 5,823 1,882   
			 NVQ Language units(109) 287
			 NVQ 48 14   
			 Total awards 3,362,580 3,300,196 3,137,806 3,048,533 
		
	
	1. Including achievements by these pupils in previous academic years.
	2. Pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August.
	3. Figures for 200405 are provisional, all other figures are final.
	4. Level 2 qualifications include those at grades A*-C for GCSE qualifications.
	5. Short course GCSEs are equivalent to  Full course GCSE.
	6. GNVQ Full Intermediate are equivalent to 4 Full course GCSEs.
	7. GCSEs in Vocational Subjects are equivalent to 2 Full course GCSEs.
	8. There were no qualifications in NVQ language units prior to 200405.
	Note:
	From 200304 a new group of qualifications approved pre-16 were incorporated.
	Vocational qualifications include GCSEs in vocational subjects, GNVQs, VRQs, NVQs and NVQ language units.
	The following table shows the percentage of level 2 awards in vocational qualifications for each year.
	
		Table 2: Percentage of Level 2 awards in vocational qualifications for pupils in all schools
		
			  200405 200304 200203 200102 
		
		
			 Number of awards in level 2 vocational qualifications 117,224 84,238 80,461 52,587 
			 Total number of awards in level 2 qualifications 3,362,580 3,300,196 3,137,806 3,048,533 
			 Percentage of awards for level 2 qualifications in vocational subjects 3.5 2.6 2.6 1.7

Government Policy (Media Coverage)

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what analysis her Department has conducted of print and broadcast media coverage of Government education policy in the past 12 months.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not conduct media analysis of Government education policy.

Graduate Earnings Premium

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what monitoring her Department conducts of the Graduate Earnings Premium; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The Department carefully monitors the labour market for graduates, including the earnings premium, using a variety of methods.
	Over recent years we have commissioned a series of projects using independent researchers to investigate the wage benefits to different levels of qualifications. In addition, we have recently published The Class of '99a study of the labour market progress of 1999 graduates 1 . The Department also has strong links with relevant members of the academic and wider research community, to ensure awareness of all recent developments in the literature.
	The latest evidence seems to indicate a small fall in the graduate premium in recent years. We don' know if this is a temporary reduction to a specific set of recent graduatesbut even if confirmed the average premium would still remain comfortably over 100,000 across the lifetime of a graduate, in today's valuation, compared with a similar individual with 2+ A levels.
	Serious academics agree that the earnings benefit to a degree remains substantial, and OECD data shows that the UK has one of the highest rates of return to higher education investment by international standards. But evidence also shows that we still need more graduates to meet the economy's future needs: projections suggest that 50 per cent. of the total new jobs required by 2012 are in occupations most likely to demand HE-qualified workers 2 .
	1 All research reports are available at www.dfes.gov.uk/research. The Class of '99 is DfES research report no. 691.
	2 Research entitled Working Futures, available at www.ssda.org.uk/ssda/PDF/wf-national.pdf

Graduates

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many British students have graduated from universities in England in each year since 1997; what percentage were entrants from (a) the state sector and (b) the independent sector; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The latest available figures for graduates are shown in the first table. Information for 2004/05 will be available in January 2006. The latest available information on the school background of higher education students covers young (aged under 21) entrants, and is shown in the second table. Figures for 2004/05 will be available in July 2006.
	
		UK domiciled full-time and part-time first degree students graduating from English Institutions
		
			  Graduates 
		
		
			 1997/98 192,620 
			 1998/99 196,780 
			 1999/2000 197,460 
			 2000/01 199,545 
			 2001/02 201,215 
			 2002/03 206,350 
			 2003/04 212,570 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source:
	Students in Higher Education Institutions published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
	
		UK domiciled young full-time first degree entrants to English Institutions
		
			   Of which proportion from: 
			  Total entrants States schools and colleges Independent schools 
		
		
			 1997/98 238,350 81.0 19.0 
			 1998/99 229,810 84.4 15.6 
			 1999/2000 229,260 84.1 15.9 
			 2000/01 228,870 85.0 15.0 
			 2001/02 240,080 85.2 14.8 
			 2002/03 251,460 86.4 13.6 
			 2003/04 254,340 86.1 13.9 
		
	
	Source:
	Performance indicators in Higher Education published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Grammar Schools

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the future of grammar schools.

Jacqui Smith: We are clear that we are opposed to academic selection and do not wish to see it extended. Primary legislation already prevents the introduction of any new selection by ability and there will, therefore, be no new grammar schools. However, we believe that it is for local people to determine the future of grammar schools where they already exist and we have no plans to change the existing arrangements.

Health and Safety

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines her Department has issued concerning the observance of health and safety requirements in order to avoid compensation claims.

Maria Eagle: DfES issues Health and Safety information to staff through both the Departmental Health and Safety Policy Statement and four Site Safety Policy Statements. These documents set out clearly how health and safety is to be managed and controlled in the Department and the individual responsibilities placed on each member of staff to adhere to the requirements, the emphasis being the prevention of injury.

Key Stage Results

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) mean and (b) median total point score in England was at (i) Key Stage 2, (ii) Key Stage 3 and (iii) GCSE in each year since 1995.

Jacqui Smith: The mean point scores for Key Stage 2 and GCSE for each year since 1995 are available in the House Library.
	The mean point score for Key Stage 3 for each year since 2001 is available in the House Library.
	The mean point score for Key Stage 3 for the years 19952000 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The median point scores for Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and GCSE can be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Learndirect

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the inclusion of a Researching Your Ancestors element on the Learndirect website; and how much this has cost.

Phil Hope: The Researching your Ancestors article was included on the learndirect website to attract users to the site and to get them thinking about learning opportunities relating to the topic. Ufi does not pay to provide links from the learndirect website to other sites, or receive payment from third parties for the inclusion of their material on the learndirect website. All the links from the article on Researching Your Ancestors to other websites are free public information sites.

Learndirect

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost has been of the Learndirect Advice programme; and how many callers it has dealt with during 2005.

Phil Hope: Ufi, the organisation which runs the learndirect service, plays an important part in helping the Government deliver its Skills Strategy, by providing widespread access to world class learning through its learndirect e-learning network. In the academic year 2004/05, the latest period for which this information is available, the learndirect information and advice service received funding of 14 million. During this time, a total of 5.9 million web and telephone advice sessions were delivered, of which 789,000 were telephone sessions.

Learning and Skills Council

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills from which budget headings the Learning and Skills Council drew funds to finance the difference between its 200405 administration in budget and its actual expenditure on administration.

Bill Rammell: The total LSC Administration budget for 200405 was 248.6 million. This was made up as follows:
	218.4 million allocated as part of the 200405 Grant Letter, and a further 30.2 million transferred from the Department during the year. The LSC actually spent 235.3 million, a saving of over 13 million. The following table illustrates this.
	The additional 30.2 million Administration budget transferred to the LSC was mainly as a result of technical accounting changes to Depreciation and Cost of Capital Budgets, previously held centrally by the Department. There were also some minor increases to reflect additional work transferred to the LSC.
	
		
			 LSC Administration Budget 200405  million 
		
		
			 Initial Grant Letter Allocation 218.4 
			 Increase in Administration Budget in-year 30.2 
			 Administration Budget at year-end 248.6 
			 Administration spend from Accounts 235.3 
			 Administration underspend against Budget 13.3

Learning and Skills Council

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people are employed by the Learning and Skills Council in Gloucestershire; how many were employed (a) at its inception and (b) in each subsequent year; and how many people she expects it will employ after the proposed changes have taken effect.

Bill Rammell: The LSC is embarking upon a major transformation programme that will make it a smaller, more dynamic and more customer-focused organisation. This will build upon its existing strengths; further develop its relationships with providers and with its partners, and help push the highest proportion of its funding out through colleges and providers into front line delivery. At local level, the LSC will develop small teams of professional staff who will support the delivery of its priority objectives through strategic relationships with colleges, providers and other key stakeholders and so ensure that the needs of local employers and learners are met. I fully support the changes the LSC is making as I believe it will help bring about an organisation that is fit for purpose.
	The effects on organisation and staffing are matters for the LSC. I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, to write to the hon. Gentleman with further information. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 21 December 2005
	In his response to a Parliamentary Question that you raised with Bill Rammell (Minister of State for Higher Education and Lifelong Learning) he suggested that I write to you directly to outline, in more detail, the Learning and Skills Council's strategy for agenda for change and its impact on the Gloucestershire Learning and Skills Council.
	The overarching purpose of our programme of change is to ensure that we develop a structure which is fit for purpose as we take forward our agenda for change with colleges and other post-16 providers of education and training. Through this process our front-line relationships with colleges will change to become more strategic, focussing more sharply on what we are buying to ensure its relevance to the needs of learners and employers is both enhanced and increased. In examining the organisational structure to deliver this important change agenda, it is clear that we can channel many of the back room functions of our business away from local offices and carry out these functions more efficiently through a more substantial regional office. This will reduce duplication and create efficiencies that will, ultimately, enable us to invest an additional 40 million on learning programmes to support our community of learners.
	The effect of this change agenda on the Gloucestershire office of the Learning and Skills Council will be to reduce the cadre of staff, freeing them from more routine activities and thus enabling them to spend more time on the strategic relationship with providers and partner organisations. It is important to emphasise that this smaller cadre of staff will be supported by a regional office whose key function will be to undertake many of the important but routine functions.
	When the Learning and Skills Council Gloucestershire became operational in April 2001 it had an establishment of 74 full time equivalent posts. Following the Reshaping exercise in April 2004 the establishment stood at 44 posts. Currently there are 47 full time equivalent posts in the Gloucestershire office which, as a result of this reorganisation, will reduce to a cadre of 13 core posts.
	I am confident that this reorganisation will enable us to meet the needs of learners, employers, communities and the economy across Gloucestershire.
	I am copying this letter to Pauline Bailey, our Acting Executive Director for Gloucestershire, and I am asking her to keep you informed as the reorganisation develops.

Local Authorities/Schools Relationship

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the working relationship between local authorities and schools since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Many local authorities are working effectively with schools and partnerships of schools to raise standards, increase access to education and life chances for pupils. Schools responsibility for driving up standards is reinforced by the New Relationship with Schools, which builds on the freedoms they have increasingly received and also strengthens the changed role of local authorities, which is to challenge and support schools improvement, and, in particular, to intervene to prevent or overcome failure. The recently published White Paper 'Higher Standards, Better Schools For All' continues this direction of travel by building further on and extending school freedoms, and clarifying the new role for local authorities, as commissioner rather than provider. This will be central to the transformation of our school system and to all our reforms across education and children's services.

Local Authority Expenditure

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the local authority in Poole on funding services previously financed by the Safeguarding Children Grant under the Local Government Settlement for 200607.

Maria Eagle: We have had a number of discussions with the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Social Services about the Safeguarding Children's Grant. The grant has always been consistently described as being for 200406.

London Challenge New Views Scheme

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many schools in Islington have been offered the opportunity to participate in the London Challenge New Views scheme; and how many have participated in the scheme;
	(2)  what plans she has to extend the London Challenge New Views scheme to other regions of the country.

Jacqui Smith: The New Views programme of residential visits has been offered to all London secondary schools as part of the London Student Pledge. Every secondary school in Islington has had the opportunity to take part. Eight secondary schools out of the nine in Islington chose to take part in this voluntary scheme.
	The consultation on the Education outside the Classroom Manifesto, which endorses all pupils having the opportunity for high quality out-of-classroom educational experiences, including residentials, will finish at the end of January 2006. The 10 working groups will make proposals for action early next year. Decisions have not yet been made on extending New Views outside London.

Mental Health

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department takes to support staff with mental ill-health.

Maria Eagle: My Department has in place a range of measures to support managers and employees on health and welfare issues. Staff with mental ill-health can access professional counselling and awareness sessions undertaken by the Department's employee assistance provider Right Corecare.
	The services of Right Corecare are complemented by internal policies and procedures aimed at ensuring consistent standards of behaviour, enabling fair and prompt mediation in the event of a grievance and through the provision of flexible working options. A number of flexible working options e.g. job share, part-time, part year, compressed hours and home working are available to staff to help them achieve a better work/life balance and to enable them to work effectively within the department.
	My Department has developed a draft stress prevention policy based on the HSE Management Standards and is working towards introducing it with supporting procedures early in the new year. Health promotion events and internal communication systems are used to promote occupational health issues including healthy lifestyle options, time management and leisure activities. Leisure activities such as aerobics and the use of on site or local fitness centres are supported and encouraged.

Ministerial Discussions

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions she has had with (a) local authorities and (b) education specialists in (i) the UK, (ii) the North East and (iii) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.

Ruth Kelly: I regularly meet many people from all parts of the country, including people from local authorities and education specialists, to discuss a range of issues.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on how many occasions since 7 July she has used the London Underground in connection with her official duties.

Ruth Kelly: I have not used the London Underground in connection with my official duties since 7 July 2005.
	All Ministers in my Department use the most efficient and cost effective mode of transport for official business which is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in Travel by Ministers.

Modern Apprenticeships

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of people aged 22 years and under had started a modern apprenticeship by 2004; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Final figures for the academic year 2004/05 show that 28.1 per cent. of young people started an apprenticeship by age 22 in that year. This is slightly higher than our PSA Target of 28 per cent. and was a great achievement by all involved in the apprenticeship programme, particularly the Learning and Skills Council and training providers. In meeting this ambitious target we have successfully revived apprenticeships as a highly valued learning option following many years of decline.

Modern Apprenticeships

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people enrolled on advanced modern apprenticeships in each academic year since 200102.

Phil Hope: This information is published in the Statistical First Release Further Education, Work Based Learning for Young People and Adult and Community LearningLearners Numbers in England 2004/05, published on 8 December 2005. The document is available from the Learning and Skills Council website www.lsc.gov.uk and copies have been placed in the House Libraries.

Peer Review

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what peer review process is undergone by the conclusions of research (a) commissioned and (b) produced by her Department.

Jacqui Smith: My Department decides whether and how the conclusions of research it (a) commissions and (b) produces should be peer reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Given the diversity or research conducted, my Department does not consider it practical to have a fixed approach.

PR Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) her Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which her Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by her Department and other such organisations since May 1997.

Bill Rammell: The following list at (a) is the public relation companies that the Department have had contracts with:
	(a) Ad hoc PR/sponsorship departmental contracts for specific projects/function:
	Redhouse LaneLearning Direct PR, 15 March 1999 to 14 June 1999
	GeronimoMillennium Volunteers PR, 1 October 1999 to 31 September 2000
	GeronimoAge Diversity PR, 4 January 2000 to 31 March 2001
	Barclay StrattonChildcare Recruitment PR, 30 June 2000 to 30 April 2001
	Brewer BlackerMillennium Volunteers sponsorship, 26 November 2001 to 31 March 2002
	Premier ConsultingDads and Sponsorship, 1 November 2001 to 31 March 2002 and 5 June 2002 to 31 December 2002
	PinsentsBusiness relationships and sponsorship, 16 March 2004 to 31 March 2005
	Weber ShandwickBusiness relationships and sponsorship, 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2008
	Suppliers on a previous framework agreement 6 November 2000 to 30 April 2004:
	Coleman Getty
	Pure PR
	Harrison Cowley
	Geronimo
	Fishburn Hedges
	Countrywide (Porter Novelli)
	Suppliers on the current framework agreement 1 May 2004 to 30 April 2007:
	August One Communications
	Fishburn Hedges
	Forster Company, The
	Geronimo PR
	Harrison Cowley
	Hill and Knowlton Limited
	Porter Novelli
	Trimedia Communications UK (formerly The Hatch Group)
	(b) Non-departmental public bodies/executive agencies
	Not available except at disproportionate cost.
	(c) Independent statutory bodies
	This information is not held centrally.

Primary Schools (Haringey)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Key Stage 2 results were in each primary school in Hornsey and Wood Green in each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: This information is published on the Department's website at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/.
	They are also available in the House Library.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what timescales have been set for achievement of the 2004 public service agreement target number 5.

Maria Eagle: PSA target 5 runs until 2008. As set out in the target's accompanying technical note, progress on placement stability will be measured through the DfES annual data collection about looked after children, which measures the position at 31 March each year. Progress on the educational achievement of looked after children is measured each autumn, once the public examination results are available for this group of young people. We are in the process of amending the technical note to reflect this.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the data required to measure the 2004 public service agreement target number 2 are taken from consistent data sources.

Beverley Hughes: PSA 2 has three elements. The first element of the targetto increase the stock of Ofsted registered childcare by 10 per cent.is measured using Ofsted registration data. This is administrative data resulting from the process of registering and de-registering childcare providers. It is available quarterly and has been used to monitor childcare places since 2003.The second elementincrease the take up of formal childcare by lower income working families by 50 per cent.is measured using Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data which is sourced from the Department for Work and Pension's Family Resources Survey (FRS). The third element of the targetintroduce, by April 2005, a successful light-touch childcare approval schemeis measured through data provided by the CAS contractor, Nestor. Nestor are managed under contract by the DfES.
	These methods of measurement are the most appropriate for each of the elements and are broadly consistent. Both Ofsted registration data and the FRS track formal childcare although the FRS makes use of a marginally wider definition.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority uses to monitor examination standards over a period of time.

Jacqui Smith: QCA has a rolling programme of standards reviews, which began in 1997. The reports are available on the QCA website.
	QCA has also established an Independent Committee to advise it publicly on examination standards. A report by the Independent Committee on Examination Standards report was published in December 2004.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has for the Independent Committee on Examination Standards; and what consultation it is carrying out with regard to this.

Jacqui Smith: Two of the three members of the Independent Committee on Examination Standards, Dr. Barry McGaw (Chair) and Professor Caroline Gipps, have stood down from the Committee due to other work commitments. Dr. McGaw is now working in Australia and Professor Gipps was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton. The Committee will be reconstituted next year and QCA will then ask the Committee to undertake a new programme of work, which will be agreed in advance by the QCA Board.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority on its location; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) on a range of issues, including its location. In response to the Lyons Review, the Department has agreed to relocate out of London and the South East around 800 posts from the Department and its partner organisations by 2010. We continue to work with our partners on their business cases for relocation.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) on (a) the abolition of the Independent Committee on Examination Standards and (b) alternative methods of presenting results of tiered examinations; what the outcomes were of the QCA/departmental risk workshop on 6 September; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: I have had no discussions with QCA on (a) the abolition of the Independent Committee on Examination Standards; (b) alternative methods of presenting results of tiered examinations.
	Officials from the Department and the QCA held a joint workshop on 6 September 2005, to discuss the management of risk in projects and programmes.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what methods the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority uses to monitor the effective functioning of its Regulation and Standards Division.

Jacqui Smith: The management of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is a matter for the chief executive of the QCA, Ken Boston. He will write to the hon. Member.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many members of the Regulation and Standards Division of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority are independent of her Department.

Jacqui Smith: The Regulation and Standards Division is one of seven into which, with the National Assessment Agency, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is organised. The staff of the Regulation and Standards Division are employed by the QCA and are accountable to the chief executive and through him to the QCA Board.
	As a non-departmental public body of the Department for Education and Skills, the QCA is accountable to Ministers, including for the regulation of qualifications, which it undertakes independently of the Department.

Religious Services

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2425W, on religious services, what assessment she has made of the level of compliance with DFES circular 1/94.

Jacqui Smith: Circular 1/94 sets out the legal requirements for religious education and collective worship in maintained schools.
	Under the current Ofsted inspection framework, schools are inspected across a range of areas, including those covered by Circular 1/94. In schools which are designated as having a religious character, the content of collective worship is inspected separately along with the teaching of denominational education where this is delivered.
	My Department does not make any other assessment of the level of compliance with DfES Circular 1/94.

School Admissions

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 13 December 2005, Official Report, column 135WS, on school admissions, when she expects her Department to lay the revised codes of practice on school admissions and school admission appeals.

Jacqui Smith: We have not set a date for the laying of revised codes of practice. The existing codes will remain in force for the 2007 admission round.

School Admissions

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of secondary school selection was by aptitude in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority, (b) school category and (c) subject; and how many pupils this involved in each case.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

School Buildings

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated for (a) capital repairs and (b) new buildings in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in (A) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (B) Kingston upon Hull.

Jacqui Smith: When we make allocations of capital funding to local authorities we do not prescribe what sums should be spent on new buildings as opposed to repairs and, for the most part, funding is not designated between primary and secondary schools. The allocation of funds is decided by local authorities in accordance with their asset management plans and local priorities. No records are maintained centrally that allow a breakdown of the allocations by the categories requested. Total capital funding allocated in 200506 to the East Riding of Yorkshire local authority and schools in its area was 17 million, and total capital funding allocated in 200506 to Kingston upon Hull local authority and schools in its area was 8.4 million.

School Funding

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will set out in cash terms the increases for each local education authority in each yearfrom 199798 to 200708 set out in percentage terms in the school funding settlement published in December.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.

School Meals

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals achieved (a) 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C, (b) no GCSE qualifications and (c) no qualification in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The available information is given in the following table. Figures for 2005 will be available in February 2006.
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(102) achieving certain GCSE and equivalent(103) grades by eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM)(104) in 2004
		
			  Eligible for FSM 
		
		
			 Number of pupils eligible for FSM 82,860 
			   
			 Proportion of pupils eligible for FSM achieving(105) (percentage)  
			 5 or more A* to C at GCSE 26 
			 No GCSE qualifications 12 
			 No qualifications 11 
		
	
	(102) Pupils aged 15 at the beginning of the academic year (i.e. 31st of August).
	(103) Figures include GCSEs and other approved qualifications.
	(104) Figures for attainment by pupil characteristics have been derived from the National Pupil Database (NPD).
	(105) These figures are for maintained schools only and are not directly comparable with the national attainment figures that underpin the Department's PSA targets.

Schoolchildren

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of children of secondary school age in (a) Wellingborough and (b) East Northamptonshire local authority area in each of the next 20 years.

Jacqui Smith: Population projections for Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire are the responsibility of the Office for National Statistics. The 2003 based projections for the population aged 11 to 18 are:
	
		Estimated and projected population aged 11 to 18 at mid-year
		
			 Thousand 
			  Wellingborough East Northamptonshire 
		
		
			 Estimates   
			 2003 7.9 9.3 
			 2004 7.9 9.6 
			
			 Projections (2003 base)   
			 2005 7.8 9.7 
			 2006 7.8 9.8 
			 2007 7.7 9.8 
			 2008 7.7 9.8 
			 2009 7.7 9.9 
			 2010 7.6 10.0 
			 2011 7.6 10.1 
			 2012 7.5 10.2 
			 2013 7.4 10.2 
			 2014 7.4 10.3 
			 2015 7.4 10.4 
			 2016 7.4 10.5 
			 2017 7.4 10.6 
			 2018 7.4 10.6 
			 2019 7.4 10.7 
			 2020 7.4 10.8 
			 2021 7.4 10.8 
			 2022 7.4 10.9 
			 2023 7.3 10.8

Schools (Charitable Status)

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the Charity Commission about the likely charitable status of (a) community schools, (b) trust schools, (c) special schools, (d) city academies, (e) pupil referral units, (f) federated schools and (g) foundation schools under the proposals in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: Under current legislation the governing bodies of foundation, voluntary and foundation special schools have charitable status. The foundations of foundation and voluntary schools also have charitable status. In the case of trust schools both their governing bodies and their trusts will have charitable status. Community schools, community special schools and pupil referral units do not have charitable status. Academies are charitable companies limited by guarantee.
	Federated schools are not a distinct category of schools, and federations may include any of the categories of maintained schools listed previously (but not pupil referral units, which are not a category of maintained school). Education law does not explicitly provide for the charitable status of the governing body of a federation so the position will depend on general charity law.
	The proposals in the White Paper will not affect the charitable status of any of the institutions listed above. We intend to put in place further safeguards around trusts, in particular by requiring them to have specific charitable objects. Officials and legal advisers from my Department have discussed these safeguards with the Charity Commission. As the White Paper explained, we are considering the implications of trust status for special schools, but we do not envisage the need for any discussions with the Charity Commission about this.

Schools White Paper

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the (a) National Governors Council and (b) National Association of School Governors on the implications for school governors of the proposals in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: Ministers and officials regularly meet the National Governors Council and National Association of School Governors to discuss a wide range of issues. I met them most recently on 15 December 2005 when we discussed the implications of the proposals contained in the Better Schools, Higher Standards For All White Paper.

Science

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many qualified science lecturers there have been in universities in England in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is given in the table. In 2003/04, changes to the definitions of full-time and part-time staff meant that less academic staff members were classed as full-time. The figures for this year are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years.
	
		Full-time academic staff by major subject of highest qualification English HE institutions
		
			  Major subject of highest qualification: 
			  Science(106) Other subjects Not known Total 
		
		
			 1997/98 51,000 33,830 4,285 89,115 
			 1998/99 51,500 34,700 5,485 91,685 
			 1999/2000 51,015 35,720 4,800 91,535 
			 2000/01 52,065 36,550 5,055 93,670 
			 2001/02 54,665 37,240 4,940 96,845 
			 2002/03(107) 56,790 36,130 4,425 97,345 
			 2003/04(108) 47,495 31,485 7,030 86,010 
		
	
	(106) Science covers Medicine and Dentistry, Subjects allied to medicine, Biological sciences, Veterinary science, Agriculture and related subjects, Physical sciences, Mathematical sciences, Computer science, Engineering and Technology, and Architecture
	(107) A new classification of academic subjects was introduced in 2002/03.
	(108) The format and coverage of the Staff Record was changed in 2003/04, one effect of which was to reduce the number of staff classified as full-time and increase the number of staff who were classified as part-time. As a result, the figures for these two years are not directly comparable with those for previous years.
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source:
	The Higher Education Statistics Agency's Staff Record.

Science

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many non-British students have studied sciences at universities in England in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many British students have studied sciences at universities in England in each year since 1997; what percentage were entrants from (a) the state sector and (b) the independent sector; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information showing the number of students on science courses is shown in the table. Information for 2004/05 will be available in January 2006. Information on the school background of young (under 21) higher education students is published annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in Performance Indicators in Higher Education, but this covers all students and does not show figures for each subject separately. The latest data collected by HESA for 2003/04, covering students of all ages, shows that 11 per cent. of entrants to undergraduate science courses came from the independent sector, compared to 12 per cent. of entrants to all undergraduate courses of any subject. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available centrally at present.
	
		Higher Education students enrolled on undergraduate science(109) courses
		
			  of which, from: 
			 HE institutions in England Total students UK Overseas(110) 
		
		
			 1997/98 429,815 386,445 43,370 
			 1998/99 444,315 402,245 42,070 
			 1999/2000 452,235 410,955 41,280 
			 2000/01 463,990 422,465 41,525 
			 2001/02 474,360 432,580 41,780 
			 2002/03 524,540 477,880 46,655 
			 2003/04 580,885 533,390 47,495 
		
	
	(109) Science covers the following subjects: Medicine  Dentistry, Subjects allied to medicine, Biological sciences, Veterinary science, Agriculture  related subjects, Physical sciences, Mathematical sciences, Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Architecture, Building and Planning.
	(110) Including students from the EU.
	Note:
	Figures based on a snapshot count as at December 1st . Numbers are given to the nearest 5 so components may not sum to totals.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Secondary School Places

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision is available to help pupils over the age of 16 but below the age of 18 years to find a secondary school place when they move into a new local education authority.

Jacqui Smith: There is no statutory duty on local authorities to provide post-16 education via secondary schools. Where they do, it is not necessary for pupils already in the school to apply formally for places in year 12 or year 13, though they may be required to meet specified minimum entry requirements.
	Legislation gives parents the right to apply for a place for their child at any school providing post-16 education and if refused, they are entitled to appeal.
	The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for planning and funding post-16 provision in England and has a responsibility under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 to ensure that all young people aged 16 to 18 have access to education or training through a school sixth form, or further education college or an Apprenticeship.

Sector Skills Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Donated Asset Reserve in the Learning and Skills Council annual report and accounts 200405 is; and what guidelines cover its use.

Bill Rammell: I have overall responsibility for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). However the operations of the LSC are managed and overseen by Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive. Details of the LSC's statutory accounts and the guidelines and policies they use for the donated asset reserve are a matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom has written to the hon. Member with further information. A copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 22 December 2005
	I refer to your recent parliamentary questions in which you asked the Secretary of State a) what the donated asset reserve in the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Annual Report and Accounts 200405 is and what guidelines cover its use b) what the Government Capital Reserve in the LSC Annual Report and Accounts 200405 is and guidelines cover its use. I am pleased to provide the following information answering your questions below.
	The Donated Asset Reserve reflects the current net book value of the fixed assets transferred to the LSC from the Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) when the LSC was set up. The Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) Annual Reports and Accounts Guidance for 200405 provides further detail on the accounting for this reserve. The Government Accounting manual covers the management of assets.
	The Government Capital Reserve reflects the current net book value of fixed assets acquired by the LSC. The Government Capital Reserve is credited with the amount of the grant that equates to the asset's acquisition cost. Notes 9 and 10 to the accounts provide further details on the fixed assets of the LSC. The Executive NDPBs Annual Reports and Accounts Guidance for 200405 provides further detail on the accounting for this reserve. The Government Accounting manual covers the management of assets.
	I trust the above information will be of assistance to you.

Skills for Life Programme

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent on the Skills for Life programme in each year since its inception.

Phil Hope: I refer the hon. Member to table 13 of the NAO's report 'Skills for Life: Improving adult literacy and numeracy', 15 December 2004, which sets out estimated actual spend on Skills for Life from 200001. Copies of this report have been placed in the House Libraries. Confirmed spend for 2004/05 is not yet available.

Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning Programme

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether she has reviewed the effectiveness of the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme; and whether she plans to extend the current earmarked funding for SEAL.

Jacqui Smith: The Primary Behaviour and Attendance pilot, which included SEAL, has been evaluated by London University's Institute of Education. The evaluators found evidence of a positive impact on behaviour and learning. Their report is due to be published early this year.
	As recommended by the Practitioners' Group on School Behaviour and Discipline, we are providing a further year's earmarked funding for the dissemination of SEAL. Standards Fund grants for 200607 will include 7 million for this purpose.

Student Grants

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of students (a) applied for, (b) were granted in full and (c) were granted on an income-related taper student grants in each English local education authority area in the academic year 2005/06.

Bill Rammell: It is assumed that the question refers to the Higher Education Grant (HEG) introduced for new students in academic year 2004/05, and the question has been answered on this basis.
	The number of new students in academic year 2004/05 in each English local authority (LA) who applied for support from the Student Loans Company (SLC), and the percentage of those receiving a full or partial HEG are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Local authority (111) Number of new students applying for support (112) Percentage of new students receiving a full HEG Percentage of new students receiving a partial HEG 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 990 32 5 
			 Barnet 3,110 22 4 
			 Barnsley 940 19 6 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 1,240 19 4 
			 Bedfordshire 2,610 13 4 
			 Bexley 1,310 19 4 
			 Birmingham 7,400 33 5 
			 Blackpool 720 35 6 
			 Bolton 2,030 26 4 
			 Bournemouth 1,000 24 5 
			 Bracknell forest 710 11 4 
			 Bradford 3,440 31 5 
			 Brent 2,790 24 4 
			 Brighton and Hove 1,680 27 4 
			 Bristol 2,390 23 4 
			 Bromley 2,330 15 4 
			 Buckinghamshire 4,000 13 4 
			 Bury 1,380 22 5 
			 Calderdale 1,350 25 5 
			 Cambridgeshire 4,370 17 5 
			 Camden 1,620 35 3 
			 Cheshire 5,110 14 5 
			 Cornwall 3,480 25 6 
			 Coventry 2,150 24 7 
			 Croydon 2,830 20 5 
			 Cumbria 3,080 16 6 
			 Darlington 680 18 6 
			 Derby 1,500 28 4 
			 Derbyshire 4,150 16 6 
			 Devon 4,960 22 6 
			 Doncaster 1,440 21 6 
			 Dorset 2,540 17 5 
			 Dudley 1,630 19 6 
			 Durham 2,930 19 7 
			 Ealing 2,700 28 6 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 2,300 18 5 
			 East Sussex 2,990 18 5 
			 Enfield 2,530 25 5 
			 Essex 7.230 14 4 
			 Gateshead 1,150 23 6 
			 Gloucestershire 3,870 16 5 
			 Greenwich 1,650 34 5 
			 Hackney 1,860 38 3 
			 Halton 730 23 6 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,160 37 5 
			 Hampshire 8,300 13 5 
			 Haringey 2,170 34 4 
			 Harrow 2,550 23 6 
			 Hartlepool 510 24 7 
			 Havering 1,220 16 5 
			 Hertfordshire 7,510 15 4 
			 Hillingdon 1,720 18 3 
			 Hounslow 1,690 22 7 
			 Isle of Wight 680 22 6 
			 Islington 1,490 41 3 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 890 30 3 
			 Kent 8,760 15 4 
			 Kingston upon Hull 1,230 25 5 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,230 16 4 
			 Kirklees 2,990 27 5 
			 Knowsley 840 29 6 
			 Lambeth 2,190 33 4 
			 Lancashire 9,080 26 6 
			 Leeds 4,390 21 6 
			 Leicester 2,530 32 8 
			 Leicestershire 4,510 14 6 
			 Lewisham 2,160 31 5 
			 Lincolnshire 3,900 18 6 
			 Liverpool 3,040 32 5 
			 Luton 1,380 32 7 
			 Manchester 3,270 41 4 
			 Medway 1,480 18 6 
			 Merton 1,460 20 5 
			 Middlesbrough 980 24 4 
			 Milton Keynes 1,360 18 5 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 1,810 23 4 
			 Newham 2,560 50 4 
			 Norfolk 4,110 17 6 
			 North East Lincolnshire 970 21 6 
			 North Lincolnshire 940 21 6 
			 North Somerset 1,350 17 4 
			 North Tyneside 1,260 17 5 
			 North Yorkshire 4,180 15 6 
			 Northamptonshire 3,860 16 5 
			 Northumberland 2,020 16 6 
			 Nottingham 1,550 29 5 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,380 17 6 
			 Oldham 1,530 24 4 
			 Oxfordshire 4,430 13 4 
			 Plymouth 1,730 26 4 
			 Poole 880 17 5 
			 Reading 770 16 5 
			 Redbridge 2,300 25 5 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 840 22 4 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,580 14 3 
			 Rochdale 1,480 27 5 
			 Rotherham 1,180 19 6 
			 Salford 1,010 26 5 
			 Sandwell 1,500 30 7 
			 Sefton 2,280 19 7 
			 Sheffield 3,140 24 5 
			 Shropshire 2,920 17 6 
			 Slough 910 24 5 
			 Solihull 1,500 13 5 
			 Somerset 3,350 18 6 
			 South Gloucestershire 1,430 13 3 
			 South Tyneside 840 27 5 
			 Southampton 1,100 25 4 
			 Southend on Sea 960 20 6 
			 Southwark 2,120 34 3 
			 St. Helens 1,130 22 6 
			 Staffordshire 6,320 18 6 
			 Stockport 2,140 17 5 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 1,310 19 5 
			 Suffolk 3,860 18 6 
			 Sunderland 1,680 23 7 
			 Surrey 7,600 11 4 
			 Sutton 1,340 11 4 
			 Swindon 990 15 5 
			 Tameside 1,290 23 6 
			 Thurrock 580 23 5 
			 Torbay 830 24 9 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,690 59 3 
			 Trafford 1,830 21 6 
			 Wakefield 1,650 18 7 
			 Walsall 1,420 25 6 
			 Waltham Forest 1,920 37 5 
			 Wandsworth 2,080 28 4 
			 Warrington 1,270 15 5 
			 Warwickshire 3,600 15 5 
			 West Berkshire 1,000 10 4 
			 West Sussex 5,590 15 4 
			 Westminster 1,120 34 3 
			 Wigan 1,870 19 6 
			 Wiltshire 2,940 12 5 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 1,060 13 3 
			 Wirral 2,330 20 5 
			 Wokingham 1,320 8 4 
			 Wolverhampton 1,770 32 7 
			 Worcestershire 5,130 17 6 
			 York 1,300 19 4 
			 Total 336,170 21 5 
		
	
	(111) Data for LAs whose returns are made by another LA on their behalf will be included in the data of the LA making the return.
	(112) Numbers rounded to the nearest 10.
	It is not possible to provide the percentage of students applying specifically for a grant, therefore the total number of students applying for support has been provided. Students make a single application for student support and are assessed for all elements of the support package. They will receive a grant if they are assessed to be eligible and meet the necessary criteria.
	Data on HEGs for 2005/06 will be available in summer 2006.

Sure Start

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are participating in the Sure Start programme in Stroud constituency.

Beverley Hughes: There is one mini Sure Start local programme (Dursley and Cam) in Stroud constituency. Numbers of children registered at or seen by mini Sure Start programmes are not held, but each programme was intended to reach around 150 under-fours. This programme is linked to a 50 place neighbourhood nursery (Treetops nursery) in Dursley with additional outreach and family support services being delivered from Rednock community centre in Dursley and from the GL11 Community Project in Cam. This provision is being developed into a children's centre to reach around 1,200 children under five and their families in the Dursley, Berkeley, Cam East and Cam West wards by March 2006.

Surplus School Places

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2432W, on surplus school places, who will be charged with determining whether authorities have a sufficiently strong strategic vision for the delivery of secondary education in their area to be prioritised under the Building Schools for the Future programme under the proposals in the Education White Paper; and what role the proposed Schools' Commissioner will have in this process.

Jacqui Smith: As Minister of State for Schools and 1419 Learners, I have responsibility for determining whether authorities have a sufficiently strong strategic vision for the delivery of their local Building Schools for the Future programme. The advice of senior departmental officials is a key consideration in my determinations, as will be the advice of the Schools Commissioner, particularly in relation to the issues of delivering diversity, choice and fair access for parents in the provision of secondary education.

Vulnerable Minors

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which 50 areas have the highest proportion of registered vulnerable (a) children and (b) young adults per 10,000 head of population.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not collect data on the number of registered vulnerable children and young adults. This is not a category of children and young people defined within the legislation covering social services functions. Information showing local authority areas with looked after children aged under 18 years of age per 10,000 head of population can be found in Children looked after by local authorities, year ending 31 March 2004. This is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000569/index.shtml

Vulnerable Minors

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vulnerable (a) children and (b) young adults are in placements outside their own local authority area by social services Departments.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not collect data on the number of vulnerable children and young adults. This is not a category of children and young people defined within the legislation covering social services functions. Information about the number of looked after children aged under 18 years of age and placed out of authority is collected centrally. I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 July 2005, Official Report, column1402W.

Work Experience

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 October 2005, Official Report, column 2785W, on work experience, what the figures were for (a) 200001, (b) 200102 and (c) 200204.

Jacqui Smith: There is a majority take up of Work Experience among Key Stage 4 pupils, however, the actual breakdown of numbers per sector participating in WE is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Mark Haysom, chief executive of the LSC, will be writing to my hon. Friend, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 22 December 2005
	Further to your question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills requesting the number of Key Stage 3 pupils who under-took work-experience placements between 1995 and 2005.
	The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) collects data for work-experience placements for Key Stage pupils in Years 10 and 11. It does not collect information on Key Stage 3 students as part of the LSC Education Business Link funded activity.

WorldSkills Competition

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of hosting the WorldSkills Competition in the UK on the (a) economy and (b) skills levels of (i) the host regional areas and (ii) the UK.

Phil Hope: It is difficult to assess the potential impact of an event such as the WorldSkills Competition as it has benefits to the UK, to the host region, and a number of wider, less tangible, legacy effects. These benefits include enhancing the value which, as a nation, we place on skills, changing our attitudes towards vocational and academic qualifications, raising the aspirations of individuals, providers and employers, and improving permanently the supply of and demand for world class skills in the UK.
	Prior to submitting our Expression of Interest PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned to carry out a study looking at the feasibility of a UK bid to host WorldSkills. Their report considered the wider social and economic benefits of a UK bid. The hosting region would benefit directly from increased visitor expenditure, as well as from visitor travel to and from the event. Other benefits, for both the region and the UK as a whole, would include an enhanced commitment to skills development, increased attainment in skills and participation in training, leading to increased productivity and earnings. In addition, because highly trained people tend to have higher lifetime earnings, this would be expected to lead to additional taxation receipts which would benefit the UK as a whole over time.
	The UK bid is adopting a partnership approach as a way of securing direct and indirect legacy effects throughout the UK. At its first meeting on 7 December, the UK wide Steering Group confirmed the value of this approach and stressed the importance of 'diversity' and 'inclusion' to help build a sustainable skills competitions infrastructure in each region of the UK. This has the support of the Government and Ministers in each of the Devolved Administrations and will help to make the UK bid distinctive and, hopefully successful.